IND vs ENG: ‘He Isn’t Available For Us’ – Rahul Dravid On Virat Kohli Missing First Two Tests Against England
Virat Kohli decided to pull out from the first two matches of the England series, citing personal reasons
India head coach Rahul Dravid believes that Virat Kohli’s absence in the first two Tests versus England opens doors for others to make their mark.
Kohli decided to pull out from the first two matches of the England series, citing personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) respected his request and has urged both the media and fans to respect Kohli’s privacy.
At the press conference on Tuesday, the India coach admitted that Kohli’s absence would be felt in terms of quality during the matches. Despite this, he emphasised the potential for someone else to seize the opportunity and perform admirably.
“I think you know any team will miss the quality of a player like Virat. There’s no doubt about it. You know, he’s a phenomenal player. His record speaks for him.”
“On the field, his presence is a huge boost to the side. But having said that, you know, I think, it just presents another opportunity for somebody else to be able to step up and to be able to put in some performances,” Rahul Dravid said in the press-conference.
“And of course, you know, for reasons I can’t be helped, he is not available for us in the first couple of games, But certainly like I said it, you know, while he will be missed. It’s a great opportunity for somebody else to really, sort of show us what they’ve got in this conditions,” added Dravid.
The series is set to kick off in Hyderabad on January 25th, 2024, with the second Test scheduled in Vizag. Kohli will return to the team from 3rd Test, which is scheduled to be played in Raipur.
