Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has returned home from the ongoing Bangladesh tour due to a family emergency. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
“The BCCI confirms that Virat Kohli has been granted leave due to a personal emergency,” the statement said. “The nature of the emergency is private and the BCCI request that Virat’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Kohli was due to play in the second Test match against Bangladesh, which starts in Dhaka on Friday, December 22, 2023. He will now be unavailable for the remainder of the series.
It is not yet known when Kohli will return to the Indian team. The BCCI said that a decision on his availability for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in January will be taken later.
Kohli’s return home is a blow to the Indian team, who are already without vice-captain Rohit Sharma due to a thumb injury. Sharma is also doubtful for the Sri Lanka series.
Possible Reasons for Kohli’s Emergency
There is no official word on the nature of Kohli’s family emergency. However, there are some speculations. Some reports suggest that Kohli’s father is unwell, while others claim that there has been a death in the family.
Kohli’s Recent Form
Kohli’s return home comes at a time when he is struggling with his form. He has not scored a century in international cricket since November 2019. He has also been struggling in the ongoing Bangladesh tour, scoring only 24 runs in two innings.
Kohli’s fans will be hoping that his return home will help him to clear his head and return to form in the new year.