IND Vs ENG, 1st Test: Rajat Patidar Added To India Squad In Place Of Virat Kohli For First Two Matches, Avesh Khan Released For Ranji Trophy

Virat Kohli is unavailable for the first two Tests against England due to "personal reasons". Meanwhile, Avesh Khan will leave the India squad to represent Madhya Pradesh for their Ranji Trophy fixture against Puducherry, starting January 26

PTI

Updated on: 25 January 2024 11:42 am

Rajat Patidar plays for Madhya Pradesh in Indian domestic cricket. Photo: PTI file photo

Madhya Pradesh prolific batter Rajat Patidar was on Thursday named as a replacement for India's batting mainstay Virat Kohli for the first two Tests against England. (IND vs ENG 1st Test Match Blog | Streaming)

"Rajat Patidar has joined the team as Virat Kohli's replacement for the first two Tests against England," the BCCI said in the announcement.

Kohli had decided to make himself unavailable for the first two Tests of the five-match series due to "personal reasons".

The 30-year-old, who is fresh from scoring 111 and 151 in India A's fixture against England Lions, however will have to wait for his Test debut.

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The Rohit Sharma-led side opted for a three-pronged spin attack, including left-arm spinner Axar Patel in the opening Test in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Patidar recently made his international debut in an ODI against South Africa in Paarl, where he scored 22 opening the innings.

The BCCI announcement also mentioned that fast bowler Avesh Khan has been released to represent his Ranji Trophy team, Madhya Pradesh, in their next Ranji Trophy fixture against Puducherry.