Kohli Forced To Miss County Stint

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli was planning to play county cricket for Surrey ahead of the five-Test series against England, but a sudden neck injury has blown away his chances.

Cricket news: Kohli’s long ambition to play county gets a major blow due to injury

Previously it was thought that the injury had happened due to excessive workload over the past 12 months and the skipper is suffering from a herniated disc.

But a recent statement from BCCI has confirmed that the 29-year-old player has sustained a neck injury while fielding in the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday May 24.

The medical team of BCCI has told him to take rest and said that he would have to go through a period of rehabilitation under the supervision of the team.

“He will begin training and subsequently undergo a fitness test at the NCA in Bengaluru from June 15. The BCCI Medical Team is confident that Kohli will regain full fitness ahead of India’s upcoming tours to Ireland and England,” the report further said.

Kohli has featured in 47 of 59 International games since 2017, which included all 9 Tests, 29 of 32 ODIs and 47 of 59 T20s. Apart from that he has captained the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2018, where they finished sixth.

Kohli had previously struggled in England, scoring just 134 runs with a meek average of 13.4. He was preparing for the county stint to serve as the platform for better performance in Tests against England.

Kohli was excited about playing in county cricket and had thought of skipping the Afghanistan’s maiden Test to keep his commitment to Surrey for at least 6 games.

He had previously said, “It has long been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I am thankful to Alec Stewart and Surrey for allowing me the opportunity to join them during their 2018 season. I can’t wait to get to the Kia Oval.”

Because of his excessive workload, he was given rest during the tri-nation Nidahas Trophy which was played in Sri Lanka in March.

Kohli had then said, “Physically, I had a few niggles, I am just getting over those. The workload has started to disagree (taking a toll) with me a little bit. I have to be very careful about how I go forward with my body, my mind, my cricket.”

He also mentioned that the break will help him to prepare for new challenges ahead. “Times like these are important going ahead. I am enjoying it. I do not think I am missing out on anything, because my body really needed this. I have started to listen to my body.”

India will have a packet season ahead beginning with the maiden Test against Afghanistan. Then they will play two T20 matches against Ireland, followed by a two-month long England tour which consists of three T20Is, three ODIs and five Tests.