Published: Jan 24, 2024, 09:54 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2024, 09:54 AM (IST)
The supporters were shocked when they learned that Virat Kohli had abruptly withdrawn from the first two Test matches against England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reports that Kohli missed the first two matches due to “personal reasons.” Everyone is excited to watch who will replace the star Indian hitter in the squad when the first Test begins in Hyderabad on Thursday. Rajat Patidar of Royal Challengers Bangalore has reportedly been selected to start for India in place of Virat Kohli for the first two games of the series.
Since last week’s 151-run victory over the England Lions in Ahmedabad, Patidar has been pounding on the doors of the national team. He also scored 111 against the Lions in the warm-up match. According to Cricbuzz that he has now been included to the squad.
Patidar was present at the BCCI’s Naman Awards on Tuesday in Hyderabad as well. Due to his selection, domestic mainstay Sarfaraz Khan would also have to wait, indicating that the national selection committee is unwilling to give veterans like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane a second chance.
Aakash Chopra, a former opener for India, has before said that Rinku Singh might be a contender to succeed Kohli. Rinku is quickly being recognized as one of India’s top finishers. He hasn’t yet made his debut in the longest format, though.
According to Chopra, Rinku is a fantastic first-class cricket player and his skill is not simply confined to the white-ball game.
“What about Rinku Singh? He was kept with the team in South Africa. He is not a one-trick pony. It’s not that he is just a white-ball player. It’s not that he is just a T20 player. Check his first-class numbers and he is going back and playing first-class cricket whenever he gets a chance,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
In addition, the well-known pundit also suggested that experienced Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara take Kohli’s spot, although he also hinted that the 35-year-old may no longer be with the team.
“Cheteshwar Pujara – only four Indians have scored more than 20000 first-class runs. He scored a double century recently. Form is with him and he has a proven Test record. He works hard by playing county cricket as well. He is your sincere cricketer. In fact, I say he is Indian cricket’s monk,” said Chopra.
“So you can pick him. However, I feel India are not looking in that direction. They have already started looking in a different direction. Cheteshwar Pujara is a legit option but are the Indian selectors looking at him as an option at all? That’s the question we need to ask and wonder,” he added
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