Thiruvananthapuram: Virat Kohli is likely to miss the upcoming third and fourth Tests against England due to personal reasons, according to a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Kohli has already sat out the first two matches of the series, and the chances of his participation in the final Test in Dharamsala are uncertain. The third Test is scheduled to take place in Rajkot from February 15–19, followed by the fourth game in Ranchi from February 23–27.
Recent reports suggest that Kohli’s absence is due to the impending arrival of his second child. The BCCI has emphasised its support for players in matters concerning family and respects Kohli’s decision regarding his return to the team.
In terms of team composition, batsman K.L. Rahul is expected to make a comeback. Additionally, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s hamstring injury may hinder his participation in the Rajkot Test.
With Mohammed Siraj returning after a rest period and Mukesh Kumar likely to be omitted, decisions regarding team selection revolve around whether to include an additional pacer alongside spinners or opt for an all-rounder like Washington Sundar. The final decisions rest with head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma as the Indian team prepares for the next Test series against England.
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