Virat Kohli set to miss remainder of India v England Test series

India are expected to be without their leading batter in Rajkot and Ranchi, with doubts increasing over his availability for the fifth Test in Dharmasala. There is better news, however, around Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul

Nick Howson | 07/02/2024 at 14:56

India are expected to be without Virat Kohli for the third and fourth Tests against England, ESPNCricinfo understand.

And there are concerns the 35-year-old will also be absent for next month's fifth Test in Dharamsala.

Kohli withdrew from the squad for the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam citing "personal reasons", with no update regarding his future availability having followed.

In 113 Tests, Kohli has scored 8,848 runs, the fourth most by an Indian man behind Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid (the current head coach) and Sunil Gavaskar.

Selectors are meeting this week to discuss selection for the remainder of the Test series which stands at 1-1 and which resumes at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on February 15.

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^{It is hoped that Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul will be fit for a recall (NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images)}

In better news for captain Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Siraj is set to come back into the equation after being rested for the 106-run win in Vizag.

It is also hoped that KL Rahul (thigh) and Ravindra Jadeja (hamstring) will be fit for the third Test having missed the second.

India v England Test series schedule

First Test: January 25-29 (Hyderabad) - England won by 28 runs

Second Test: February 2-6 (Vizag) - India won by 106 runs

Third Test: February 15-19 (Rajkot)

Fourth Test: February 23-27 (Ranchi)

Fifth Test: March 7-11 (Dharamsala)

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