Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, who is a good friend of Virat Kohli’s, speculated the reasons for the 35-year-old India star pulling out from the first two Test matches against England in the upcoming series.
AB de Villiers opined that it could be any reason: family reason, or maybe tiredness in Kohli from playing consistent cricket. But what the former RCB batsman is certain that it must be a big reason for Virat Kohli to miss Test matches, something he has rarely done over the past decade. Kohli has missed only 5 home Tests in his entire career.
He averages 60 in 50 Tests in India, which means that the other batters will have to level up their games to make up for Kohli’s absence in these two Tests.
Virat Kohli’s friendship is too important to me: AB de Villiers
In his YouTube video, AB de Villiers asserted that he would find out the reasons why Virat Kohli has opted out from the two Tests, but he also confirmed that he wouldn’t reveal it to the general public as he values the integrity and trust between their friendship.
“No one knows what has happened yet. I am sure we will get to know soon. If Virat talks about personal reasons, there must be a very good reason for that. Maybe he is also tired. He has been playing a lot of cricket. Could be family stuff. I will find out soon but I won’t tell you guys. His friendship is too important to me,” AB de Villiers said.
Who is Virat Kohli’s replacement for the England Tests?
The BCCI added Rajat Patidar to the Test squad as Kohli’s replacement for the first two Tests against England. Patidar averages 45 in 55 first-class matches, and is coming off a brilliant knock of 151 off 158 balls in the fourth innings in a four-day game against England Lions.
India’s squad for the first two Tests against England
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar
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