Virat Kohli leaves India squad for personal reasons

When it comes to cricketing superstars, very few people can players with Virat Kohli, in terms of global profile and notoriety with punters and international betting sites. 
 
The absence of Virat Kohli in the first two of 5 Test Matches against England is a potentially huge loss for the hosts and speculation is mounting as to how India will cope without him. 

Despite just coming up short against Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup Final at the back end of 2023, India’s place as the best cricketing nation in the world remains relatively unquestioned. 
 
Despite no longer being the Test team captain, Virat Kohli has been an integral part of India’s continued success over the past decade or so, with his weight of runs, in all three formats, simply unrivalled. 
 
However, Kohli will not be taking part in the first two Test Matches against England, due to personal reasons and India will need somebody to step up in his absence, as they take on Brendan McCullum’s swashbuckling visitors. 
 
King Kohli 

Having played 113 Test Matches for India and having registered almost 9,000 Test runs, Virat Kohli has been prolific for his beloved India for well over a decade. 
 
With an average of almost 50 and with 29 Test centuries, the presence of Kohli in any Indian side is a hallmark for punters and online betting sites and India have enjoyed so much success with him in the team. 
 
He has relinquished the Test Match captaincy to Rohit Sharma and appears to be relishing in that role, and missing the first two Tests of the England series will be the first Test Matches he has missed since 2021.  
 
Replacements in the offing 

Whilst the prospect of Kohli not being able to take the field against England is a disappointing one for onlookers, it does of course present somebody else with an opportunity to stake their claim. 
 
The Indian middle order has been a little shaky in recent times, with a poor showing in South Africa at the end of 2023 sure to be in the minds of selectors. 
 
A return to the fold for the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara has been mooted, whilst the likes of Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan could also force their way into contention. 
 
Bazball Awaits 

Any England touring team always piques the interest of cricketing experts and betting apps but the prospect of Brendan McCullum’s England arriving in India is particularly mouth-watering. 
 
England have completely transformed their game under the Kiwi coach, and they will arrive in India full of confidence, with or without Kohli in the opposition lineup. 
 
Coined ‘Bazball’ by the English media, England will be up for what is one of the toughest tours in world cricket and they will need ‘Bazball’ to take full effect if they are to overcome India in a 5-match series. 

Virat Kohli is one of very cricketers that can transcend the game and the Indian legend’s moves and happenings are always tracked by punters and online betting sites alike. 

Having withdrawn from the first two Test Matches against England for personal reasons, the speculation ahead of the series has reached fever pitch.