IND vs ENG Tests: "Virat is not a player who will ask for leave for no reason", Jay Shah backs Kohli

Jay Shah, Virat Kohli (Pic: PTI/ File Pic)

BCCI secretary Jay Shah backed stalwart batsman Virat Kohli's decision to miss IND vs ENG Tests. Shah stated that he has the right to ask for personal leave.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Shah backed Kohli saying that the former Indian skipper is not someone who would ask for leave for no reason. Everyone should trust Kohli and back him", he added.

"If a person, for the first time in a 15-year career, asks for personal leave, it's his right. Virat is not a player who will ask for leave for no reason. We need to trust our player and back him," Shah was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

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Virat Kohli initially pulled out of the first two tests against England citing personal reasons but later the board announced that Kohli would continue to miss the remaining IND vs ENG Tests.

The IND vs ENG Tests is now levelled at 1-1. Kohli last donned the Indian jersey in January against Afghanistan in the T20I series.

"Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli's decision," said a statement from the board.

Meanwhile, when the BCCI secretary was asked whether Kohli would be part of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in June, Shah replied: "We will talk about him [soon]."

Jay Shah also confirmed that Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian pack in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

"Rohit has the ability, we know. As he showed in the ODI World Cup where we won 10 matches in a row until the final. I am confident that India will lift the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma's captaincy in Barbados," he added.

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India's last major trophy win was back in 2013 when they beat England to win the ICC Champions Trophy in the UK. Since then, India has shown incredible performances across ICC Cricket World Cups, ICC T20 World Cups and the finals of the ICC World Test Championship, but has fallen short every time of capturing the gold.

The ICC T20 World Cup will kick off on June 1 and will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the US. India has been placed in Group A alongside Ireland, Pakistan, Canada and the US.

The Rohit-led Indian team will play their first clash against Ireland on June 5. The clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is set to play on June 9. India will then face Canada and the USA on June 12 and 15, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium was on Wednesday renamed after veteran cricket administrator and former first-class cricketer Niranjan Shah.

(With ANI Inputs)