According to reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee aims to meet with Kohli as soon as possible to discuss his plans.
The uncertainty regarding Virat Kohli’s “personal reason” for missing the first two Test matches against England ended on Saturday, when close friend and former South Africa captain AB de Villiers confirmed that the India star and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child. The news fueled speculation about whether Kohli would return for the last three Tests against Ben Stokes’ side. Later in the evening, reports indicated that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee planned to speak with the former India captain about his plans as soon as possible.
Kohli withdrew from the Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam matches on January 22, three days before the commencement of the first Test against England. The BCCI later released a statement stating that Kohli met with India captain Rohit Sharma and team management, emphasising that “while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention.”
During a Q&A session on his YouTube channel during India’s second Test against England in Vizag, De Villiers disclosed, in response to a fan query, that Kohli’s decision to withdraw from the England series was due to the upcoming birth of his second kid.
Indeed, he is expecting his second child. He values things, and this is family time. You lose sight of your purpose in life if you are not authentic and honest to yourself. Family is, I believe, what most people prioritize. Virat is not to be judged for that. Yes, he is missed. However, he has made the perfect choice,” De Villiers remarked.
As the second Test draws to a close, India has taken a commanding 171-run lead over England after bowling them out for 253. The selectors are expected to announce the team for the final three matches shortly, and the BCCI’s top brass is keen to know if Kohli intends to play in the remaining matches of the series.
Ajit Agarkar, the head of the selection committee, or some of the senior board members are reportedly planning to speak with Kohli, who is now abroad, in order to gain a thorough understanding of his situation and determine whether he is ready to return to his country of birth.”As stated in the BCCI press release, family comes first, and Virat will only play if he feels that he is in a position to play,” an anonymous BCCI source told PTI.The third Test match will begin on February 15 in Rajkot.
