Virat Kohli not playing has become a little bit of a question mark: Sanjay Manjrekar

Star India batter Virat Kohli has decided to take a break from the first two Test matches against England, citing personal reasons. KL Rahul will feature in the middle-order, while KS Bharat keeps the wickets in Hyderabad. However, Virat’s absence leaves a major hole in the batting unit, as the 35-year-old is in brilliant form and is a runaway match-winner in the longest format of the game.

Reflecting upon that, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Virat not playing leaves a question mark in the middle order. Despite so, he expects the Rohit Sharma-led side to dominate in the home series, given the quality spinners that the team possesses. He mentioned that England lack experienced spinners as Rehan Ahmed played just one match in Test cricket while Tom Hartley just made his debut.

“I think India should be able to dominate once again in home conditions. Just that batting part, with Virat Kohli not playing, has become a little bit of a question mark,” Manjrekar said while talking to ESPNcricinfo. 

The 58-year-old also believes that preparing spin tracks against England is not a gamble as the visitors aren’t exposed to play in these conditions. He added that the hosts have a strong spin unit, which can make England uncomfortable throughout the five-match series.

“I don't think it is a gamble (preparing rank-turners). It is a very reliable way to win matches for India because of the kind of opposition that India have. England have Jack Leach and two or three other spinners; a couple of them haven't played for England, and one of them has just played a Test match.

“When you look at the kind of ability England have, it's a no-brainer that India would want to have pitches that will turn, especially with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav being a spin force," he added.

Meanwhile, India have decided to play three spinners in the playing XI in the first Test as Ashwin and Jadeja proved to be extremely successful in the opening session.