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While Shreyas and Ishan returned to the contracts, senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retained their places in the top grade A+ despite the trio's retirement from T20 Internationals.
Virat Kohli was spotted in Hyderabad on Sunday as India began training for the first Test, starting January 25 in the South Indian city.
Digital Desk: India's star batsman Virat Kohli withdrew from the Test team for the first two matches against England due to some personal reasons. Kohli spoke with the team management, including captain Rohit Sharma, before taking the call, according to the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).
Virat Kohli was spotted in Hyderabad on Sunday as India began training for the first Test, starting January 25 in the South Indian city.
"Virat has spoken to Captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention," said the BCCI.
The Indian cricket board added that it respected Virat Kohli's decision and expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome an optimistic England squad in the first two Test matches. The BCCI said it would announce a replacement in the due course. Earlier in the month, it announced a 16-man team for the first two Tests.
Virat Kohli's absence will be a huge blow for India as the home team would have wanted to bank on the star player in familiar home conditions. In Hyderabad, Kohli has a strong record as well. Harry Brook of England was notably excluded from the Test series against India for personal reasons. After playing an entire IPL season in 2023, Brook took a plane home from the United Arab Emirates, where England was doing a pre-series practice.
"DON'T SPECULATE NATURE OF PERSONAL REASONS"
"The BCCI is requesting that fans and the media please be mindful of Virat Kohli's privacy at this time and abstain from making assumptions about the reasons for his absence. The priority should continue to be assisting the Indian cricket team as they take on the forthcoming challenges in the Test series," the detailed board statement said.
Earlier in the year, India's drawn Test series in South Africa was greatly aided by Virat Kohli. Over the course of two Tests, the former captain excelled with the bat, amassing 172 runs—including a fifty—in four innings.
Earlier in the month, the former captain also made his T20I team debut for the first time in fourteen months. With a blistering 29 off 16 against Afghanistan in the second Twenty20 International, Kohli silenced his doubters. However, in the third Twenty20 International, he was bowled out for a golden duck.
It is to be noted that Kohli missed the first T20I of the 3-match series on January 11 due to personal reasons.
INDIA'S UPDATED SQUAD FOR 1st 2 TESTS vs ENGLAND
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Avesh Khan.
INDIA VS ENGLAND TEST SERIES SCHEDULE
1. 1st Test in Hyderabad - January 25 to 29
2. 2nd Test in Vizag - February 2 to 6
3. 3rd Test in Rajkot - February 15 to 19
4. 4th Test in Ranchi - February 23 to 27
5. 5th Test in Dharamsala - March 7 to 11
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