VIRAT Kohli’s comeback to the Indian cricket team is expected to be delayed further as the star India batsman is certain to miss the third Test against England in the ongoing five-match series. But, the door hasn’t shut on him making a return before the five-match series against England ends.
The reason Kohli’s participation in the third Test, which will be starting at Rajkot from February 15, is now seeming unlikely is that the Indian cricket team talisman hadn’t conveyed his availability for the Rajkot Test by Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, there could be some good news for the Indian team with two match-winners likely to return to the side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) senior selection committee is expected to meet virtually on Thursday to pick the team for the remaining three Test matches and it is understood that they will pick a squad without Kohli in it. Whenever the former captain is available for selection, he will be added to the side.
The five-match Test series is evenly poised after India won the second Test to draw level at 1-1.
Kohli had missed the first two Test matches of the series due to personal reasons and it is learnt that he had flown to England thereafter with his family.
“Virat will decide when he wants to make a comeback to the Indian side. He hasn’t informed us till now but whenever he decides to play, he will be included in the team,” a BCCI official said.
Three days before the series began, Kohli had told the Indian team management and selectors that he wanted a break. In its press release, the BCCI had stated that, “While representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention. The BCCI respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter”.
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers, Kohli’s close friend and former teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore, had revealed that Kohli was expecting his second child.
“All I know is he is fine. He is spending a bit of time with his family, that is the reason he is missing the first two Test matches. I am not going to confirm anything else. I cannot wait to see him back. He is fine, he is doing well,” AB de Villiers said in a video.
“Yes, his second child is on the way. It’s family time and things are important to him… I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. He has made absolutely the right decision.”
Seniors to return
The Indian players who will be picked for the third Test have been asked to report at Rajkot on February 11. It is understood that KL Rahul will be making his way back to the Indian side after missing the Visakhapatnam Test due to a quad strain.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also shown good progress after being ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The team management is confident that he will also be available to play on his home ground.
Meanwhile, the team management has left it to Jasprit Bumrah to decide whether he wants to play the third Test. The Indian cricketers have got more than 10 days’ break before the Rajkot Test gets underway.
It is understood that the medical team will submit its report on Bumrah’s workload management to the selection committee and the panel will then take a call on whether the speedster should play or not. However, the team management and selectors will take Bumrah’s own input before coming to a decision.
Stay updated with the latest sports news across Cricket, Football, Chess, and more. Catch all the action with real-time live cricket score updates and in-depth coverage of ongoing matches.
