In response to Virat Kohli’s absence from India’s first two Test matches against England, Rahul Dravid said, “There’s an opportunity for somebody to step up.”

The Indian cricket team is preparing for the tough five-match Test series that will begin on January 25, 2024, against England. But the cricket community is buzzing over Virat Kohli’s absence from the first two Tests, the batting ace. Head coach of the Indian cricket team Rahul Dravid recently discussed his thoughts on Kohli’s choice and emphasized the opportunities it presents for other players.

Rahul Dravid thinks that Virat Kohli’s absence from the first two Test matches against England might be a great chance for someone else to establish themselves on the international scene. Citing “personal reasons,” Kohli withdrew from the first two Test matches of the five-match series that began on January 25. While it is obviously difficult for the team to be without a player of Kohli’s caliber, Dravid urged other players to stand up and fill his void at the pre-game news conference.

“I believe you are aware that any team would be sad to lose Virat as a player. It is beyond a doubt. As you can see, he’s an incredible player. His track record does the talking. His presence on the field gives the team a tremendous lift. However, having said that, I believe it simply creates another chance for someone else to stand up and provide a performance,” Dravid said at the news conference.

“And naturally, you know, he isn’t accessible for us in the first few games for reasons I can’t control. However, as I have already said, even though he will be missed. It’s a fantastic chance for someone else to, under these circumstances, really, kind of show us what they’ve got,” he said.

Possibility for Up-and-Coming Entities
At a pre-game news conference, Dravid urged the squad to use Kohli’s absence as an opportunity for young players to establish themselves. He mentioned seasoned players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja to demonstrate his trust in the depth of the team. Dravid also gave special attention to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, highlighting the fact that they are experienced players with the potential to contribute significantly rather than just being kids.

Shubman Gill’s Support from David
During his media appearance, Dravid avoided placing unnecessary pressure on Shubman Gill. While praising Gill’s early achievements in Australia, Dravid emphasized the difficulties that young players encounter on difficult wickets. He reiterated his faith in Gill’s potential, adding that it sometimes requires patience and flexibility in the face of changing circumstances.

Pitch Conjecture and Squad Organization
In response to a question about the Hyderabad pitch’s conditions, Dravid remained circumspect, stressing that it’s difficult to forecast the circumstances before to the game. Along with discussing the squad’s overall experience, he also discussed the group’s need to play well without Kohli.

Support from the BCCI and Kohli’s Choice
Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said that Kohli voluntarily withdrew from the first two Test matches for personal reasons. Dravid reiterated his support for Kohli’s choice and said he was certain the rest of the team will perform well in the next series.