Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid provided a big update regarding Virat Kohli’s potential return to the squad for the three remaining Test matches against England in the ongoing five-match series. Kohli opted out of the first two matches citing ‘personal reasons’ and with the series tied at 1-1 at the moment, there were speculations regarding his possible return. Following India’s win in the second Test, Dravid was asked by reporters about Kohli’s situation and he said that the selectors were the best people to ask the question. However, he added that the team selection will take place in the next few days and the team management will get in touch with the star batter in order to decide the future course of action.
“I think it’s best to ask the selectors. I am sure they are the best people to answer ahead of the team selection for the next three Tests. We will get to that. I am sure there will be selection over the next few days. We will connect with him and find out,” Rahul Dravid said at the post-match press conference.
Earlier, the BCCI requested to “respect Virat Kohli’s privacy during this time and refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons”. However, Virat Kohli’s former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Ab de Villiers revealed the reason behind his absence from the cricket field.
“All I know is he is fine. He is spending a bit of time with his family, that is the reason he is missing the first two Test matches. I am not going to confirm anything else. I cannot wait to see him back. He is fine, he is happy,” revealed AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
“Let me just see what he said. I just want to at least give you a little bit of love,” he added.
“So I wrote to him ‘Been wanting to check in with you for a while now biscuits. How are you?’. He said ‘Just need to be with my family right now’. Then I said I am doing well.
“Yes, his second child is on the way. Yes, it’s family time and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. Yes, we miss him, but he has made the right decision,” he added.
India dismissed England for 292 runs in their second innings on day four to register a series-levelling 106-run win in the second Test.
Resuming at 194 for six, England lost the remaining four wickets in the post-lunch session to be bowled out in 69.2 overs as India levelled the five-match series 1-1.
While England skipper Ben Stokes (11) was run out, Jasprit Bumrah got rid of Ben Foakes (36) and Tom Hartley (36), while Mukesh Kumar removed Shoaib Bashir (0).
In the morning session, India took five wickets with R Ashwin (3/72) claiming two and Kuldeep Yadav (1/60) and Axar Patel (1/75) accounted for one each.
R Ashwin stayed one wicket away from completing 500 Test wickets after his three-wicket haul.
Zak Crawley was the most successful batter for England, scoring a 132-ball 73.
England were 67 for one at stumps on day 3.
India had scored 396 and 255 in their two innings, while England were dismissed for 253 in their first essay. India had lost the opening Test by 28 runs in Hyderabad.
