India might once again have to deal without the services of former skipper Virat Kohli for the third Test against England in Rajkot, beginning February 15 even as the doors of his comeback in the series could not entirely be ruled out.

The star batter’s availability for the fourth and fifth Tests in Ranchi and Dharamsala, respectively could be clear when the selectors name the squad for the next three Tests.

According to sources, Kohli didn’t convey his availability for the third Test by Wednesday evening, and the selectors are expected to virtually meet on Thursday to pick the squad for the next three games. The source also said that the selectors might name the squad without Kohli in it, and could add the 35-year-old whenever he confirms his availability.

Kohli did not play the first two Tests in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam due to “personal reasons”, according to a statement from the BCCI. The former captain trained with the rest of the squad in Hyderabad for a day but decided to withdraw from the first two Tests on the same day.

While the BCCI has not made any further comment on Kohli’s absence since that statement, which said: “Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasised that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention.”

In Kohli’s absence, KL Rahul filled the No.4 slot in the first Test that India lost by 28 runs. Shreyas Iyer had to be promoted to that number after Rahul was ruled out of the second Test due to an injury.

Rahul, Jadeja likely to return in Rajkot

There could be good news in store for the Indian fans ahead of the third Test, as the trio of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and pacer Mohammed Siraj, who missed the second Test are most likely to return to action in Rajkot.

Siraj’s return is certain as he was rested as a precaution. The fast bowler, who had bowled 11 overs in the first Test defeat at his home ground in Hyderabad, was rested for the second Test for workload reasons.

But the return of Rahul and Jadeja depends on the final fitness report from the NCA in Bengaluru. Rahul suffered a quad strain after the first game while Jadeja sustained a hamstring injury after being hit by a Ben Stokes’ throw while taking a run in Hyderabad. With almost a week to go for the third Test, there are good chances of at atleast one (if not both) of Rahul and Jadeja being available for the game, pending fitness clearance.

Rahul and Jadeja were India’s highest scorers in the first Test, though both missed out on centuries.

Meanwhile, Siraj’s return will boost the seam bowling line-up, which relied on ICC No.1 ranked Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance to win the second Test. Bumrah returned with a match haul of 9 for 91, including a brilliant six-wicket haul in the first innings that helped India gain a healthy 143-run lead in Visakhapatnam. The selectors will also have one eye on managing Bumrah’s workload although at this point, it seems he is likely to feature in the Rajkot game.

After losing the first Test – only their fourth defeat at home since the start of 2013 – India made a comeback in Vizag to level the five-Test series 1-1. The next two Tests will be played back-to-back before the final Test in Dharamsala starting March 7.