‘Sad news on auspicious day’ – Fans react as Virat Kohli withdraws from first Two Tests against England; Citing personal reasons

India batting superstar Virat Kohli will miss the first two Tests of the upcoming five-match series against England at home. Virat Kohli has requested the Indian Cricket Board to withdraw him from the first two Tests of the upcoming Test series against England, citing personal reasons, as announced by the Board.

In an official release, the Indian Cricket Board said: “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 Indian Cricket Board respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series,” Indian Cricket Board added in the release.

Virat Kohli was present in Ayodhya on Monday for the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha rituals

“The Indian Cricket Board requests the media and fans to respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons. The focus should remain on supporting the Indian cricket team as they embark on the upcoming challenges in the Test series,” the Indian Cricket Board said in the statement, adding that a replacement for Kohli would be announced by the men’s selection committee.

Meanwhile, the England Cricket Team arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Sunday evening ahead of their five-match Test series against India.

The long-format series between England and India will kickstart from January 25 onwards in Hyderabad and will conclude on March 11 in Dharamshala with the fifth and final Test.

Just before the team travelled to India, England batter Dan Lawrence was roped in as a replacement for young batter Harry Brook, who has pulled out of the five-Test India series. This time Ben Stokes will lead a new-look England Test team for the series.

Look at the fans’ reactions:

https://twitter.com/bhaskar_sanu08/status/1749368116738761097

https://twitter.com/bdrijalab/status/1749364418348265577

I wish everything is fine at his end. Praying for him and his family's good health.

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 22, 2024

https://twitter.com/Pankaj41627/status/1749365324217266288

https://twitter.com/dp_karthik/status/1749366571842383923

Take care king. Hoping for 30th century in 3rd test pic.twitter.com/5tW136jmQe

— ` (@chixxsays) January 22, 2024

Personal reasons over country not my Country’s GOAT

— User45 (@140of113) January 22, 2024

But why ? Billions of people wants him in action . Fitness issue or something personal ?

— Salman Mirza (@SalmanMrza) January 22, 2024