Virat Kohli may miss remaining Test matches against England

After a valiant performance in the second Test match, which saw India level the series 1-1 against England. However, the Indian batting woes were exposed throughout the Test as the Indian batting failed to perform in the second innings. After the failure of the batting department in the second innings there have been multiple news and rumors around the availability of star India batter Virat Kohli. The Indian team management might have to strategize for the entirety of the five-match Test series against England without Virat Kohli.

Sources suggest that India’s top batter may not return for the remaining three Tests due to personal reasons. Reports from February 3 indicate that selectors and team management aimed to confirm once more with Kohli if he intended to be available for any part of the series. The former India skipper appears to have communicated his need to prioritize family commitments and indicated his unavailability for the upcoming two Test matches in Rajkot and Ranchi. Moreover, the prospects of his return for the final Test match in Dharamsala seem slim as well.

“Kohli had asked for leave from mid-February. Three days before the first Test, he conveyed to the India Cricket Board that needs to take an early leave. The board has always respected his decision,” a source told as reported by TOI.

Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan are likely to get a chance in the Test squad

Considering the susceptibility of India’s middle order, the board deemed it prudent to conduct a final check on Kohli’s availability. It’s improbable that significant alterations will be made for the forthcoming three Test matches. Rajat Patidar is anticipated to receive an extended opportunity in the lineup.

It remains to be seen whether the team management opts to retain Shreyas Iyer or considers trying out the uncapped Sarfaraz Khan. Iyer has shown promise in Test matches, particularly on home soil. The management must carefully weigh the decision of including two relatively inexperienced batters, Patidar and Sarfaraz, in the Test playing XI.