Twitter questions Virat Kohli's absence in warm-up game against County XI

2 Indian sides are playing simultaenously at the moment. While the Shikhar Dhawan-led side is in the middle of the second ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the Test team’s three-day warm-up game against Select County XI got underway today. According to the original schedule, there was no practice game for the visiting side in England due to COVID restrictions.

But ECB obliged to the BCCI’s request post the World Test Championship (WTC) Final for the practice encounter and they put out a Select County XI to face the visitors. However, Virat Kohli missing the encounter has raised quite a few eyebrows. Rohit Sharma is leading the team in Durham as India won the toss and opted to bat first with even the designated vice-capain Ajinkya Rahane not part of the playing XI.

Kohli didn’t do much in the WTC Final against New Zealand scoring a 40-odd in the first innings and then getting out early in the second essay, both times off Kyle Jamieson.

India resting key players for the warm-up game

Interestingly, apart from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, the likes of Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Ravi Ashwin are also resting. It goes without saying that all the five players will be part of the playing XI in the first Test starting from August 4. Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the four pacers part of the XI while a few Indian players are also featuring for the Select County XI.

Team India players were on vacation for three weeks post the loss in the WTC Final last month. All the players dispersed from the bubble and reported in Durham where the camp has been setup since July 14. During this period, only Ravi Ashwin played some cricket featuring for Surrey replacing Kyle Jamieson in the last round of County Championship matches. He also picked up a six-wicket haul displaying great form ahead of the Test series.

But the fans are certainly not happy with the Indian skipper Virat Kohli not taking the field in the warm-up game. The conditions in England certainly change a lot quickly and many reckon a hit out for the batsmen, especially the skipper, would’ve been great.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

BCCI, you had to send him, didn't you?

As if white ball captaincy debate is not enough😭🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/zmO1khJgXh

— Kanav Bali🏏 (@Concussion__Sub) July 20, 2021

Two Strings of Indian Team Playing today. Neither Virat Kohli nor Shubman Gill playing.

These matches ain't counted in my book ✍🏻

— Aditya Pandey (@Tweet_by_Aditya) July 20, 2021

Virat Kohli not playing the practice match.
Fans rn 😬#ViratKohli #Cricket pic.twitter.com/TC9H8MEUGx

— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) July 20, 2021

Virat Kohli Not playing is getting more Hype than the Players playing 😂😂

— Akshans ࿗🇮🇳 (@Rp17Akshans) July 20, 2021

22 international level Indian players playing at a time and still Virat Kohli is in rest

— KiII Bill Pandey (@KingShawEra) July 20, 2021

Virat Kohli ko toh captaincy chodne boli gayi thi, usne team kyun chordiya🤔

— Ratika Pancholy (@ratika_pancholy) July 20, 2021

Self Proclaimed GOAT Cricketer Virat Kohli Skips Practice Match To Go Shopping In England. Then When People Ask His Resignation, His Fans Bring Up Useless Stats. pic.twitter.com/3YFGnQfmFS

— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) July 20, 2021

Why is Virat Kohli being rested in this county match? Surely not seeing him scoring a lot of runs maybe?

— ansh (@michaelnotscoot) July 20, 2021

What is this behaviour? Virat Kohli not playing☹😭

— Pari. (@sociallyy_me) July 20, 2021

Virat Kohli denied to go for toss as he was creating videos for some app.

— Sir Dinda – UltraLegend (@GoatDinda) July 20, 2021

Rohit must have won the digit dance challenge against Kohli for captaincy in warm up match.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 20, 2021

Rohit captain, dropped chokli, world is healing?

— Ayush (@KohliAdorer) July 20, 2021