February 7th 2024.
India's star cricketer Virat Kohli will not be playing in the third and fourth Tests against England, dealing a major blow to the team's chances in the series. Kohli, who was expected to be a key player for India, had to withdraw from the first two Tests due to personal reasons. While the exact reasons were not disclosed by the BCCI, it was later confirmed by former South African captain AB de Villiers that Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were expecting their second child.
As a result, Rajat Patidar was brought in as a replacement for Kohli and made his debut in the second Test in Vizag, scoring 32 and 9 in his two innings. He played a crucial role in India's victory, helping them bounce back from a defeat in the previous Test in Hyderabad. Many had hoped that Kohli would be back for the final three Tests of the series, but according to a report by ESPNcricinfo, his absence is likely to be extended.
Kohli is expected to miss the Rajkot Test starting on February 15 and the following match in Ranchi on February 23. It is uncertain whether he will be available for the final Test in Dharamshala. The Indian selectors will consider his potential availability when they meet this week to select the squad for the remainder of the series.
News of Kohli's absence came as a shock to fans in India, but the BCCI released a statement saying that they respect and support his decision. The statement also mentioned that Kohli had spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors about his absence. The board and team management have full confidence in the remaining players to step up and deliver impressive performances in the Test series.
The BCCI has also requested the media and fans to respect Kohli's privacy during this time and not speculate about the nature of his personal reasons. They have urged everyone to focus on supporting the Indian team as they take on the challenges of the Test series.
Meanwhile, the fitness of batsman KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who were both ruled out of the Visakhapatnam Test due to injuries, is being monitored by medical staff in Bangalore. The latest updates suggest that both players are recovering well and could potentially make their comebacks in the third Test at Rajkot's Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj, who missed the second Test as a precaution, could also make a return in the third Test.
In other news, Adidas is set to release a signature logo for Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, featuring his iconic celebration. And while there may have been some excess in the Bazball department, England still has a chance to win the Test series in India if they can address some underlying issues.
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