Virat Kohli had pulled out of the first two Tests against England three days before the start of the series, citing personal reasons. Speculations were rife that his mother’s health was a concern, which was later refuted by his brother Vikas. Recent reports suggest that Kohli could not only miss the upcoming two Tests, at Rajkot and Ranchi, but even the fifth, at Dharamsala.

As a result, fans will miss out on seeing his riveting – and possibly last – battle with James Anderson.

Anderson had troubled Kohli on the latter’s first tour to England in 2014, dismissing him four times in 50 deliveries. Kohli averaged 4.8 against him on the tour but bounced back strongly thereafter, not gifting him his wicket even once in the next two outings against him – at home in 2016/17 and in England in 2018.

Anderson dismissed Kohli twice again in 2020/21, dismissing him a total of seven times, the most any bowler has dismissed him.

But age is not on Anderson’s side, who will turn 42 this year. India and England are slotted to play a Test series in 2025. While Anderson has confirmed he is not thinking of retirement, the possibility of seeing him two summers later seems bleak.

While admitting to the fact that Kohli’s absence has taken the sheen off the series, former England captain Nasser Hussain reiterated on Sky Sports Cricket that cricket needed to look after Kohli: “Well, nothing’s confirmed at the moment. It’s all speculation whether it’s the next two Test matches or three. They’re [India] going to announce their side in the next few hours.

“Nothing’s confirmed, but it will be a blow for India, the series and world cricket. It’s going to be a special series – it already has been. The first two games have been fascinating and make no mistake, Virat Kohli is one of the greatest to ever play the game and any series and any side would miss someone of the stature of Kohli.

“The game needs to look after Virat Kohli as well. He’s been playing international cricket for more than 15 years now and if he needs a break to be away with family, get some time away from the game, we absolutely wish Virat Kohli all the best. If it means we don’t get the mouth-watering possibility of an Anderson versus Kohli contest that we’ve seen over the years, then be it. But Kohli, and his family and his private life has to come first.”

The five-match series is tied 1-1 with the next Test to be played in Rajkot on February 15.