Kohli's withdrawal represents a blow to India's batting. In 50 Tests on home soil, the 35-year-old – India's regular No.4 – has scored 4,144 runs at 60.05, including 14 centuries and 12 fifties
Virat Kohli will miss the first two Tests in the five-match series between India and England, citing personal reasons.
The series is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 25, with the second Test taking place in Visakhapatnam from February 2.
His replacement is yet to be confirmed.
Kohli's withdrawal is a blow for India [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]
In a statement, the BCCI said: "Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention."
Kohli's withdrawal represents a blow to India's batting. In 50 Tests on home soil, the 35-year-old – India's regular No.4 – has scored 4,144 runs at 60.05, including 14 centuries and 12 fifties.
India are not alone in facing late changes to their squad, however, with news of Harry Brook's return to England, also for personal reasons, confirmed on January 21. He has been replaced in the England squad by Dan Lawrence.
India squad for first two Tests: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Avesh Khan, Virat Kohli (withdrawn), Mukesh Kumar, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
Subscribers get exclusive access to the best analysis of England's Test tour of India from our chief correspondent George Dobell. Join them by signing up here for just £3.99!
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.