India will be without Virat Kohli when the Test series against England starts this week, after their talisman withdrew from the first two matches for personal reasons.
The shock news was announced this morning, just 24 hours after England revealed batter Harry Brook has flown home because of a private family matter and could miss the entire series.
The first of five Tests gets under way in Hyderabad on Thursday, with Kohli set to miss that and the Second Test in Visakhapatnam, due to start on February 2.
There is then a nine-day break before the Third Test starts. Kohli is expected to return for that, but news of his absence is a significant boost to England's chances of inflicting India's first home series defeat in more than a decade.
"Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasised that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention," a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India said.
"The BCCI respects his decision and the board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances."
England this morning trained in Hyderabad for the first time, having flown in from a pre-series camp in the UAE, but were without uncapped spinner Shoaib Bashir, whose arrival has been delayed because of a visa issue.
The 20-year-old, who is of Pakistani heritage, was a wildcard selection for the tour and is the only player affected by the hold-up. It comes after Pakistan fans and journalists complained of delays receiving visas for the ODI World Cup in India late last year.
"Bash will join us hopefully tomorrow," said head coach Brendon McCullum. "We're confident on the back of the help from the BCCI and Indian government that it will sort itself out pretty quickly."
Surrey batter Dan Lawrence is due to join the squad today, having been called up as a replacement after Brook's withdrawal. The ECB's initial statement ruled Brook out for the series, but they have since been clarified that he could yet return at some stage.
"Obviously our thoughts are with Harry and his family, it's a tough time," McCullum added.
