A ‘personal problem’ kept Virat Kohli out of the first two Test matches against England.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad was filled with spectators before the first Test match between India and England began on Wednesday. Before the match, a fan expressed his sadness for former India captain Virat Kohli to ANI. He is thrilled for Rohit Sharma, the captain, though. Telugu fans have a tremendous amount of love for Virat Kohli, hence we truly miss him. He is missed when he plays in Hyderabad. But seeing Captain Rohit Sharma excites me so much,” a supporter remarked.
In the meantime, a different fan wished for the hosts to win the opening Test match against England.
“India will triumph. India will win the match, no doubt about it,” an additional supporter told ANI.
India captain Rohit Sharma has already said that they are not concerned with England’s style of play, stating that “Bazball” against spin will be the story of the five-match series.
When England batted flawlessly in 2012, thanks to the heroics of Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann, and James Anderson with the ball, they won the series in India. That was the last time England had won a series on Indian soil.
The only team to nearly draw a Test series on Indian soil since then is Australia (2016)–2017. As the Indian batsman Shubman Gill attempts to take over the No. 3 place, which belonged to Cheteshwar Pujara until 2023, he will be in the spotlight during the spin against ‘Bazball’.
A new chapter in Indian Test cricket history will begin with the opening Test on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. For the first time since November 2011, the hosts will field a playing XI in a Test match without Ajinkya Rahane, Pujara, or Kohli.
