Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli ended all speculations, informing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials and the selection committee about his withdrawal from the remaining three Tests against England due to personal reasons. Earlier, it was reported that Kohli, who was set to miss the third and fourth Tests, was yet to contact the BCCI officials, but he did so on Saturday and confirmed his unavailability.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah admitted that the board officials, the selectors, and the team management respect Kohli’s decision and are ready to extend all support. Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Kohli’s decision, Jay Shah told reporters.

For the very first time, the veteran batter Kohli will not play a single Test match in a home series since making his debut. The former India captain’s absence will be a major setback for the Indian batting unit which is struggling to score big runs and has relied heavily on individual talent in this series thus far. Kohli’s withdrawal was expected, given that the 35-year-old cricketer had yet to return to the country.

Shreyas Iyer was not named in the 17-member squad for the upcoming three Tests. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja make a return to the squad after missing the second Test due to injuries. Rahul regained his fitness quickly while Jadeja’s final report is still awaited. The team management, however, is confident about the all-rounder being a match-fit before the third Test begins on February 15, Thursday in Rajkot.