Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has reportedly opted out from Afghanistan Test and will play County cricket for Surrey club in June. It is being said that Virat had planned to play County cricket to improve his batting performance in England ahead of the India squad’s away series.

As per a report published in the news agency Press Trust of India, the Delhi lad will miss the historic Test debut of Afghanistan team Bengaluru. Virat will travel to the south of London at the end of the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League.

“Virat (Kohli) will be playing for a division one county side for sure. I wouldn’t like to add anything more to it. There were talks with Surrey and Essex,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.

The report also adds that Virat had decided to play County cricket to improve his batting on England grounds. Till now, Kohli had played five Test matches in England and scored 134 runs with the poor average of 13.4. If the on-going reports are true the Virat will create history by becoming first-ever Indian male cricketer to join Surrey.

The reports also claim that Virat will play for Surrey between June 9 and June 28 against Hampshire, Somerset and Yorkshire.

However, Virat is not the only Indian male cricketer to play County cricket. Star Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara will also play for Yorkshire, starting April 7.

Talking about Virat’s decision, veteran Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said, “Virat Kohli ‘s decision to play County cricket before the England series shows his drive and commitment to achieve excellence. I am sure not only him, but Team India will do exceedingly well in the England series. Best wishes!”

Virat Kohli ‘s decision to play county cricket before the England series shows his drive and commitment to achieve excellence. I am sure not only him,but Team India will do exceedingly well in the England series. Best wishes!

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 24, 2018

Virat Kohli has made a strong statement of intent about the England tour where he has unfinished business by opting to play county cricket. In doing so, has also prioritised opposition by missing the test against Afghanistan

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2018

“Virat Kohli has made a strong statement of intent about the England tour where he has unfinished business by opting to play county cricket. In doing so, has also prioritised opposition by missing the Test against Afghanistan,” wrote Harsha Bhogle on the micro-blogging site Twitter.