BCCI defends Kohli’s absence for Afghanistan Test

India did not exactly name a second-string team for the Afghanistan Test but the absence of Virat Kohli will take some sheen off what is a huge occasion, for the visitor at least.

Amitabh Choudhary, the BCCI’s acting-secretary, likened Afghanistan’s maiden Test, to be played here in June, to India’s first Test at Lord’s in June 1932.

He was vehement, though, that the absence of the home team's regular skipper — in favour of county cricket — was not a sign of disrespect to the opposition.

“Any act has to be judged by the intention which precedes it,” Choudhary said.

“There was no intention not to play him. It was only because the English challenge is something we have to rise to, to the satisfaction of the entire cricket fraternity of this country, that Virat will abstain for the right reasons.”

M.S.K. Prasad, chairman of selectors, noted that Kohli was the only big name missing from the side.

“Except Virat, all the Test specialists are playing this match,” he said.

“Only Virat is missing, and for a good cause. He's going out so that he comes well prepared for the England series.

“He’s very keen that the Indian team [does well in England] and he himself wants to do extremely well in English conditions.

It’s a great opportunity for us to win the series.”