Kohli to miss remainder of England series for personal reasons

India batsman Virat Kohli will miss the rest of his nation's Test series with England due to personal reasons.

Kohli, 35, was absent from the first two clashes for what the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) described as "personal situations which demand his presence and undivided attention".

Now, in a fresh statement, the BCCI confirmed their talismanic star will remain unavailable for the remaining three contests.

It read: "Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons.

"The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli's decision."

Kohli has played 113 Tests for his country and his tally of 8,848 runs places him fourth in the list of India's all-time leading scorers in the format.

The series is currently locked at 1-1 after the tourists' sensational 28-run win in Hyderabad was cancelled out by a 106-run home success in Visakhapatnam.

It means things are finely poised heading into the third Test in Rajkot, which gets under way on Thursday, February 15.

The fourth clash will take place in Ranchi from Friday, February 23 before the final encounter in Dharamshala begins on Thursday, March 7.

India's announcement also confirmed star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and key batter KL Rahul will return to the fold after missing the second Test, permitting they are passed fit.

Shreyas Iyer, who played in both of the opening matches, is not in the squad for the remainder of the series.

Uncapped seam bowler Akash Deep has also received a first call-up for his nation.