Virat Kohli opted out of the first two Tests of the five-match series, for personal reasons, at Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. While a major blow, it also as good as decided India’s playing XI for the first Test match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was almost certain to open batting with captain Rohit Sharma, followed by Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, the three spin-bowling all-rounders, wicketkeeper KS Bharat, and the fast bowlers.

During the pre-match practice session at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, Iyer copped a blow on his right wrist and left the nets. He was in visible agony along the sidelines.

Shreyas Iyer after getting hit on his right wrist at practice today.

📸 @debasissen #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/pXqjuYQLr7

— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 23, 2024

However, there was good news for the Indian fans. Iyer resumed batting practice not long after he left the nets with the injury, and there is little reason to be concerned at this point.

Good news. He is back batting. https://t.co/zIxxBVNEqZ

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) January 23, 2024

It is worth a mention that the BCCI are yet to name a replacement for Kohli for the first two Test matches, though they have assured that they would name one.

In the interim period, they added Rinku Singh to the India A squad for the remaining ‘Tests’ against the England Lions. The India A squad also consists of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Rajat Patidar, Sai Sudharsan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Tilak Varma.

Kohli’s potential replacements in the Test squad also include Cheteshwar Pujara, leading run-scorer in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, and former Test captain Ajinkya Rahane.

However, if the selectors do not pick a replacement and there is an injury (or a concussion or Covid-19 substitute is needed during the Test match), India will have to play wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel as a specialist batter.