In a surprising turn of events, Rajat Patidar has been chosen to replace Virat Kohli in India’s Test squad for the first two Tests against England. The decision comes after Kohli withdrew from the series due to personal reasons, leaving a void in the squad’s batting lineup. India’s Test squad lacked reserve specialist batters, with KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel initially considered as options.
Kohli’s unexpected withdrawal from the first two Tests against England is reportedly due to personal reasons rumored that the ex-Indian cricket captain is taking time off to be with his wife, Anushka Sharma, during her second pregnancy. The couple, who already has a daughter named Vamika, seems to be focusing on family matters, leading to Kohli’s temporary absence from the cricketing arena.
To address the situation, Rahul Dravid, the head coach, has confirmed that either KS Bharat or Dhruv Jurel will take on the role of the specialist wicketkeeper. However, the spotlight is now on Patidar, who earned his call-up through an impressive performance in the India A vs. England Lions match. The 30-year-old batter showcased his skills by scoring a remarkable 151 off 158 balls in the first four-day match against England Lions.
Patidar boasts formidable first-class cricket stats, having accumulated 4000 runs with an impressive average of 45.97, including 12 centuries. Rohit Sharma, the team’s vice-captain, emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to untested players like Patidar, acknowledging the challenges of leaving out experienced players while underscoring the need to nurture young talent for the team’s long-term development.
As the first Test of the five-match series approaches, scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 25, the team management’s decision to include Patidar reflects a strategic move to balance experience with the infusion of new talent.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Devdutt Padikkal has replaced B Sai Sudharsan in the India A squad due to back spasms, and Rinku Singh has been added for the second four-day match against England Lions, contributing to the overall blend of experienced players and promising youngsters in India’s cricket landscape.
India’s squad for first two tests
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan, Rajat Patidar
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