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India n captain Rohit Sharma explained the team management's approach to looking at replacements for star batter Virat Kohli for the first two Tests against England . The Men in Blue are set to take on England in a five-match red-ball series which kicks off on January 25 in Hyderabad.
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But on January 22, the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Kohli had withdrawn from the squad citing personal reasons and hence was set to miss the first two games of the tournament. Addressing a possible replacement for India's batting great, Rohit Sharma spoke on how the management was looking at experienced players.
Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli's replacement
But Sharma further expressed that the team will present the opportunity to a youngster. Speaking in the press conference ahead of the first Test, Rohit Sharma said, "We did think of going back to the experienced player to fill in Kohli's absence, but then when will we give the youngsters the chance."
The Indian captain also spoke on bringing in players based on certain playing conditions. "Sometimes you have to bring in certain players in conditions they are familiar with, we do not want to expose them to foreign conditions," Rohit said.
It's not easy for anyone: Rohit Sharma on Shoaib Bashir
The Indian captain also spoke about England's uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir's delayed arrival in India due to visa issues. Rohit Sharma wished the best for the Somerset spinner and expressed that the youngster travels to India as soon as possible to be part of the series.
Also Read: Shoaib Bashir ruled out of first Test against India due to visa issues
"I feel for him honestly. This is probably the first time he's coming for the first time with the England set-up. It's not easy for anyone. It could be one of our guys who wanted to come to England and has been denied and is not available to get the visa. Unfortunately, I don't sit in the visa office to give you more details on that. I hope he can make it here quickly and enjoy our country and play some cricket as well."