‘Virat Kohli hasn’t informed us till now’: New twist added to star batter's absence from Team India squad

Virat Kohli is set to miss the third Test against England at Rajkot as per multiple media reports. The former India captain pulled out of first two Tests due to personal reasons and it has now been reported that he will miss at least the Rajkot Test. Another media report has stated that Kohli is out of third and fourth Test and could also miss the final match.

Earlier it was reported that Kohli is still outside India and there’s no timeline as to when he will return to the country.

The five-match India-England Test series is currently level 1-1 after two matches.

Now a latest twist has been added to the saga. A BCCI official has told newspaper the Indian Express that the star batter is still to have a word with BCCI or the selectors. The selection panel which is expected to meet virtually on Thursday to pick the squad for remaining three Tests is essentially unaware of when Kohli will be next available for India.

“Virat will decide when he wants to make a comeback to the Indian side. He hasn’t informed us till now but whenever he decides to play, he will be included in the team,” a BCCI official told Indian Express.

While there are multiple rumours surrounding Kohli’s absence from the team, his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate and good fried AB de Villiers had recently revealed that the India cricketer is spending time with his family and his “second child is on the way”.

“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 doing well,” De Villiers said in a video.

“Yes, his second child is on the way. It’s family time and things are important to him… I think most people’s priority is family. You can’t judge Virat for that. He has made absolutely the right decision.”