Ahead of the third Test between India and England in Rajkot, all eyes are on star batter Virat Kohli, who pulled out the first two games of the five-match citing ‘personal reasons’.

While the third Test is still more than a week away, a report published in ESPNcricinfo claimed that Kohli is expected to miss the next two matches in Rajkot and Ranchi, respectively.

According to the report, Kohli's availability is also doubtful for the fifth Test, slated to start on March 6 in Dharmasala, and the selectors will consider this factor when they meet this week to pick the India squad for the remaining three Tests.

Last month, the BCCI issued a statement on Kohli’s withdrawal from the first two Tests against England and urged the fans and media to respect his privacy. Subsequently, rumors of his mother being unwell also emerged on social media.

However, Vikas Kohli, brother of Virat Kohli, refuted rumors of their mother health and that being the reason for the cricketer to take a break.

On Saturday (February 3), AB de Villiers revealed that Kohli and Anushka Sharma are expecting their second child and praised his former RCB teammate for prioritizing his family.

Meanwhile, the updates on KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were encouraging for the Indian fans. Both of them missed the second Test in Vizag due to injuries sustained in the series opener. While Rahul sat out with a quad strain, Jadeja picked up a hamstring injury in Hyderabad.

The report claimed that the final report from the NCA physio is still awaited but the outlook for both players is positive.

With the third Test starting on February 15, India are hopeful about the chances of at least one (if not both) being available for the game, pending fitness clearance.

After the first two Tests, the series between India and England is evenly poised at 1-1. While the Three Lions won the first match in Hyderabad by 28 runs, the hosts bounced back to win the second Test in Vizag by 106 runs.

(ESPNcricinfo inputs)