Virat Kohli pulls out of the all-important England Test series, netizens worried if everything is ‘okay’ amid Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy speculation

For the first match, Kohli reached Hyderabad to start the training session but did not take part in the optional training session on Monday.

Virat Kohli pulls out of the all-important England Test series, netizens worried if everything is ‘okay’ amid Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy speculation

Virat Kohli (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Virat Kohli won’t be playing the first two Tests due to personal reasons, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) said in a statement. The first Test is scheduled for Thursday (January 25) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

For the first match, Kohli reached Hyderabad to start the training session but did not take part in the optional training session on Monday. The BCCI has not named a replacement yet.

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Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management, and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention.
The BCCI said in a statement

Veteran Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara, or youngsters like Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz Khan may get the chance to don the Team India white jersey for the Tests. Pujara last played a Test in 2023 in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s.

After failing to contribute any valuable runs, Pujara was dropped from the Test side. But he started playing in the Ranji Trophy this year, scoring his double century during a match against Jharkhand.

Netizens rack up their brains to guess the reason behind Virat Kohli’s missing the first two Tests

The India-England Test series is huge. So for Virat Kohli to withdraw himself from the first two Tests surprised the fans. On social media, some are guessing the reason behind Kohli’s decision must be the birth of his second child, as rumors have been flying around after pictures of Anushka Sharma went viral in the recent past. Some fans commented they did not see any pictures of Kohli and Anushka at the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 to which they were invited.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

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Kohli last played a Test series against South Africa. He was last seen in an India jersey during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan where India registered a clean sweep.

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