IND vs ENG: Rahul Dravid opens up on Virat Kohli's availability for remaining three Tests

India registered a clinical win over England in the second Test of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam beating them by 106 runs on Day 4 on Monday, February 05. The Rohit Sharma-led side set a target of 399 for England in the fourth innings but the visitors could only reach 292 as Jasprit Bumrah (3/46) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/72) picked three wickets each.

After gruelling action in the first two Tests, the two teams will next lock horns in the third game from February 15 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. Notably, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) had announced the squad only for the first two matches of the series and Virat Kohli had withdrawn due to personal reasons.

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Following India’s win, head coach Rahul Dravid was asked about Kohli’s availability for the remaining three matches of the series. The 51-year-old stated that he’s not the best person to answer the question and the selectors will connect with him soon to know about his availability.

"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 was quoted as saying by India Today.

Notably, the BCCI had urged fans to give privacy to the Kohli family and not speculate about the reasons for his absence. Former South Africa cricketer and Kohli’s close friend AB de Villiers spilled the beans on the absence revealing that the India cricketer and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child. De Villiers made the shocking revelation during a live session on his YouTube channel answering a fan query.

Kohli's second child is on the way: AB de Villiers

"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 on his YouTube stream.

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Kohli’s availability is still under question and the BCCI is likely to give clarity on the issue in the coming days as they announce the squad for the remaining three Tests.