NEW DELHI: Star India cricketer
Virat Kohli's brother
, Vikas, addressed the false rumors circulating on the internet about their mother
Saroj Kohli
's health on Wednesday.
Vikas clarified on his official Instagram handle that their mother is "absolutely
fit and fine
." He urged everyone to refrain from spreading unverified news and emphasised the importance of sharing information only when it is based on proper and accurate details.
"Hello everyone, I have noticed that there is this fake news about our mom's health has been circulating around. Let me clear that our mom is absolutely fit and fine. Also, I would request everyone and also the media, not to spread such news without proper information," Vikas wrote on Instagram.
Rumors have recently circulated, suggesting that the former India skipper took a break from the first two Test matches against
England
in the five-game series due to his mother's illness. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (
BCCI
) has officially announced that Kohli has withdrawn from the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons.
In response to the situation, the BCCI has issued a request for both the media and fans to respect Kohli's privacy during this challenging time and to refrain from speculating on the nature of his personal reasons.
Despite Kohli's absence, India faced a 28-run loss against England in the first Test match in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Summing up the first Test, India find themselves eager for redemption after trailing 0-1 in the series. The hosts initially held a firm grip on the Test, displaying dominance over the visitors. However, the dynamics shifted on Day 3 when Ollie Pope's entrance to the crease transformed the game with his adept use of reverse sweeps.
Pope not only nullified India's 190-run lead but also set England up with a defendable target on a challenging surface, courtesy of his remarkable innings of 196.
Making his debut, Tom Hartley made a memorable introduction, weaving through India's batting lineup with a spectacular spell of 7/62. By the end of the Test, Hartley's overall figures stood at 9/193, marking the best performance by an England spinner on Test debut since 1945.
His nine-wicket haul in the match is the joint-highest since the remarkable 9/116 achieved by former English spinner Robert Berry against West Indies in Manchester in 1950.
Notably, Hartley also became the fourth England spinner in this century to secure a five-wicket haul on Test debut, adding another layer of significance to his impressive performance.
(With ANI inputs)
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