'Get some time away from the game...' Nasser Hussain's take on Virat Kohli's absence
'Get some time away from the game...' Nasser Hussain's take on Virat Kohli's absence
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Virat Kohli seems unlikely to feature in the next two Tests and also appears to be doubtful for the series final against England in Dharamsala next month. As per ESPNCricinfo, Kohli is unlikely to travel with Team India to Rajkot and Ranchi, where the third and the fourth Tests will be played from 15 and 23 February respectively. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain has now shared his opinion on Kohli’s absence from the Test series. Hussain said that Kohli’s absence will be a big blow to the Indian cricket team.
“Yeah, well nothing’s confirmed at the moment. It’s all speculation whether it’s the next two Test matches or three… they’re going to announce their side in the next few hours. Nothing’s confirmed but it will be a blow for India, the series and for world cricket. It’s going to be a special series – it already has been. The first two games have been fascinating, and make no mistake. Virat Kohli is one of the greatest to ever play the game and any series and any side would miss someone of the stature of Kohli,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
There is still no official word on the reason behind Kohli’s absence. Neither the star India batter nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have revealed any details on this matter. Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers had recently suggested that Kohli is expecting a second child. Kohli and his wife and actor Anushka Sharma welcomed daughter Vamika in January 2021.
Nasser Hussain reacts to reports that Virat Kohli is set to miss the 3rd and 4th Tests against England. ???????? pic.twitter.com/GpaRajcWvO
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 7, 2024
Hussain stated in support of Kohli that the India batter must “get some time away from the game” if he needs to be with family.
“First thing’s first. The game needs to look after Virat Kohli as well. He’s been playing international cricket for more than 15 years now and if he needs a break to be away with family… get some time away from the game, we absolutely wish Virat Kohli all the best. It means we don’t get the mouth-watering possibility of an Anderson vs Kohli contest that we’ve seen over the years, then so be it. But Kohli, and his family and his private life has to come first,” the ex-England batter explained.
With the five-match Test series between India and England level at 1-1, the two teams will be involved in the third game scheduled to start on 15 February in Rajkot. The BCCI, in all likelihood, will announce India’s squad for the remainder of the Test series within this week.
