Virat Kohli available for last 3 Tests vs England? Coach Rahul ...

India vs England: Head coach Rahul Dravid said that the selectors will consult Virat Kohli before announcing the squad for the remainder of the Test series against England.

Virat Kohli withdrew from the first two Tests vs England due to personal reasons (PTI Photo)

India head coach Rahul Dravid said a call will be taken on Virat Kohli's availability for the last three Tests of the ongoing series against England after consulting with the former captain who withdrew from the first two matches. Dravid said that the selectors will be in a better position to answer the much-talked-about question, hinting that the squad for the remainder of the series will be announced in the next few days.

India defeated England by 106 runs, wrapping up the second Test on Day 4. England showed heart in the fourth innings chase and managed 292, the second-highest total in the fourth innings of a Test in India by a touring team.

India were stunned in the series opener in Hyderabad by Ben Stokes-led England side, but they fought back in Visakhapatnam to level the series 1-1. Apart from Virat Kohli, India also missed injured KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja in the second Test, but rode on individual brilliance from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill to get the job done and counter the Bazball threat.

India and England have a 10-day break before the 3rd Test gets underway on February 15 in Rajkot. While the English side is expected to head back to Abu Dhabi, where they trained before the start of the series, India Test stars are expected to take a break before regrouping in Rajkot.

"I think it's best to ask the selectors. I am sure they are the best people to answer ahead of the team selection for the next three Tests. We will get to that. I am sure there will be selection over the next few days. We will connect with him and find out," Rahul Dravid told the press on Monday in Vizag.

Virat Kohli had withdrawn from the first two Tests due to personal reasons with the BCCI urging fans and media not to speculate the reason for his absence.

However, Virat Kohli's brother Vikas had to take to social media to rubbish reports of his mother's ill health. Speculation was rife on social media that Kohli had skipped the first two Tests to be with his mother.

On Saturday, former South Africa captain and ex-RCB star AB de Villiers said Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were expecting their second child and lauded his former teammate for prioritising his family.

"Yes, his second child is on the way. Yes, it's family time and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people's priority is family. You can't judge Virat for that. Yes, we miss him. But he has made absolutely the right decision," De Villiers said in his YouTube show.

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