India coach Rahul Dravid feels that Virat Kohli’s absence from the side for the first two Tests against England will provide others with an opportunity to step up for the side.
Kohli made the decision to withdraw from the first two matches of the five-Test series against England, citing personal reasons. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored his request and urged the media and fans to respect his privacy, avoiding speculation about the specifics of his situation.
Kohli’s absence is a significant setback for the Indian team, as he was expected to play a pivotal role in the series. The star batter has scored 1991 runs in 28 matches with an average of 42.36.
Despite Kohli being away from the side, Dravid expressed confidence in the rest of the squad.
The India coach, during the press conference on Tuesday, said that they would miss someone with the quality of Kohli during the matches, but it was a chance for someone else to step in and perform.
“I think you know any team will miss the quality of a player of the 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.”
“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,” said Dravid.
