Kohli opts out of remainder of series

NEW DELHI: Star batter Virat Kohli has pulled out of the remainder of the Test series against England for personal reasons, the BCCI confirmed on Saturday, ending speculation around premier player’s availability for the high-profile contest.

Kohli had missed the first two Tests and that he could be unavailable for the remaining three matches was reported by PTI on February 3.

“Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli’s decision,” the BCCI said in a release.

Kohli is currently abroad for pressing personal family matter.

The series is locked 1-1 with India bouncing back with a win in the second Test in Vizag after the visitors took the series-opener in Hyderabad.

The third match is scheduled to start from February 15 in Rajkot.

That Kohli will be unavailable due to serious personal reasons was well-known but BCCI brass wanted to check one final time if it could avail his services for the final Test in Dharamsala from March 7-11.

“The selection committee always knew that Virat won’t be available for the series and accordingly the contingency plan was kept ready. Everyone in BCCI wants Virat to fulfil his family commitments and then come back with a free mind as and when he deems fit,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Rahul is fully fit and Jadeja is getting there

The national selection committee included senior players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul in the squad but their inclusion will be subject to clearance by the BCCI’s medical team.

Jadeja had injured his hamstring during the opening Test while Rahul had a right quadricep niggle. Jadeja (87) and Rahul (86) were the top two scorers in Hyderabad.

“Rahul is already fit and ready to come back in the playing eleven. He had a bit of tightness in his quadriceps and the medical team didn’t want it to get aggravated. In case of Jadeja, it is a strain and he is getting better. There are still five days to go before the game and if he shapes up well, nothing like it,” the source said.

If both Rahul and Jadeja return to the playing eleven, then Rajat Patidar, who made his debut in Vizag, will have to make way for one of them as Shreyas Iyer has already been dropped.