IND vs ENG 2024: Whole nation is missing the ‘greatest cricketer’ Virat Kohli: Virender Sehwag ahead of Rajkot Test

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag reckons the whole nation is missing the greatest cricketer Virat Kohli in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. Kohli pulled out of the first two Test matches against England citing personal reasons and also could not make himself available for the remaining three games due to family urgency.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has been a consistent performer in all three forms of the game. Kohli has amassed 8848 runs in 113 Test matches and in his absence, young players have received their opportunities in the playing XI.

“The whole country is missing him (Virat). I hope wherever he is, he and his family are happy. Hopefully, he will return to the cricket field soon. Virat is the greatest cricketer,” Sehwag said on Sports Tak.

On the other hand, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that Kohli has the right to ask for a personal leave.

“If somebody is asking for a personal leave in 15 years then it is his right to ask for it. Virat is not that kind of a player that he would ask for a leave without any reason. We must back and trust our players. We will talk about Virat later,” said Shah ahead of Rajkot Test.

Shah also added that the players should not give any excuses to skip first-class matches in the Ranji Trophy.

“Whatever advice we get from the NCA — say suppose somebody’s body is not able to handle both white-ball and red-ball cricket — so we do not want to impose anything in that regard. (It applies to) whoever is fit and young — we are not going to tolerate any other tantrums. This message is for all centrally contracted players,” said Shah.

“Everyone will have to play, otherwise, the chairman of the selection committee has given me his suggestions and I am going to give him a free hand to let him take his own calls freely,” Shah added.

Meanwhile, India were 93-3 at Lunch after electing to bat first at Rajkot.