Rajat Patidar replaces Virat Kohli for first two Tests against England | Cricket News – Times of India
Virat Kohli withdrew himself due to personal reasons and is likely to return to the squad from the third Test onwards.
Patidar has reportedly joined the Indian team in Hyderabad and also attended BCCI’s Naman Awards in the city that will host the first Test beginning on Thursday.
Patidar, who plays for Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit, is known to have a temperament for the long format and the experience of batting at the No. 4 position.
He has struck good form since returning from an 8-month injury layoff and scored 151 against the England Lions in Ahmedabad last week.
The 30-year-old right-handed batter has already made his international debut, having played an ODI against South Africa last year as an opener.
By reportedly picking Patidar ahead of the seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the BCCI selectors have indicated that they want to look ahead to the future, while Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan has been made to wait more despite consistently scoring runs in the domestic circuit.
