10 February 2024 , 09:47
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Indian cricket star Virat Kohli will miss the rest of the Test series due to personal reasons.
The 35-year-old had already pulled out of the first two matches, which saw the two sides exchange wins in thrilling finales. And the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday that Kohli's absence will continue for the final three Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamsala.
A statement from the BBCI reads: "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."
Kohli, who has nearly 9,000 Test runs and 29 centuries to his name, has been a significant loss for India's middle order in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. When he withdrew from the first two matches, the BCCI explained: "Certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention."
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and batter KL Rahul are back in India's 17-man squad for the final three Tests, but their participation is "subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team".
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However, Shreyas Iyer, who failed to score more than 35 in his four innings, has not been picked. England, who are looking for a first series win in India since 2012/13, earned a memorable victory in the opening meeting before being brought back down to earth in Vizag,
The tour is the first chance for England's much discussed 'Bazball' philosophy to show it can work in an environment where the team have traditionally struggled. But former captain Michael Vaughan has warned that the batsmen need to adjust - singling out Joe Root's struggles - or face losing the series.
Joe Root has struggled in England's opening two tests vs India (Stu Forster/Getty Images)“England will not win the series if they bat the way they did in Visakhapatnam,” Vaughan wrote for the Telegraph. “I actually think the batsmen need to take a leaf out of the bowlers’ book.
"With ball in hand, they have been quite traditional at times, aggressive at others, and they have gone up and down the gears in terms of how attacking their fields have been."
Vaughan added: "The batsmen, meanwhile, look like they only have one way to play. They are in fifth gear from ball one. I don’t mind some of them playing like that because they are better for it. But Joe Root should forget it. He has 10,000 Test runs playing like Joe Root. He doesn’t need to be a Bazballer."