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

While the official confirmation is awaited, multiple reports have suggested that India’s star batter is unlikely to be back for the remainder of the Test series against England.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is likely to announce the Indian squad for the remaining three Tests on Thursday (February 8).

Amid the speculations, former England cricketer-turned-commentator Nasser Hussain has said that Kohli’s absence will be a big blow to the Indian cricket team.

“Yeah, well nothing’s confirmed at the moment. It’s all speculation whether it’s the next two Test matches or three… they’re going to announce their side in the next few hours. Nothing’s confirmed but it will be a blow for India, the series and for world cricket. It’s going to be a special series – it already has been. The first two games have been fascinating, and make no mistake. Virat Kohli is one of the greatest to ever play the game and any series and any side would miss someone of the stature of Kohli,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.

Virat Kohli had withdrawn from the first two Tests due to personal reasons with the BCCI urging fans and media not to speculate the reason for his absence.

However, Virat’s brother Vikas had to take to social media to rubbish reports of his mother's ill health. Speculation was rife on social media that Kohli had skipped the first two Tests to be with his mother.

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

Speaking in support of Kohli, Nasser Hussain stated that the India batter must “get some time away from the game” if he needs to be with family.

“First thing’s first. The game needs to look after Virat Kohli as well. He’s been playing international cricket for more than 15 years now and if he needs a break to be away with family… get some time away from the game, we absolutely wish Virat Kohli all the best. It means we don’t get the mouth-watering possibility of an Anderson vs Kohli contest that we’ve seen over the years, then so be it. But Kohli, and his family and his private life has to come first,” the former England captain remarked.

The five-match Test series between India and England is evenly poised at 1-1 at the moment. 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.

The third Test is slated to get underway on February 15 in Rajkot.