Virat Kohli to skip white-ball matches in South Africa tour

WEB DESK: Virat Kohli, the top run scorer in the recently concluded World Cup, will be absent from India’s white-ball matches during the upcoming tour of South Africa, beginning with a T20I on December 10 in Durban.

Kohli has conveyed his decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his break. India’s South Africa tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

However, Kohli is expected to participate in the test matches, with the first test starting on Boxing Day at Centurion, followed by the second test at Cape Town.

According to Indian media, the national selection committee, led by former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, will soon announce the Indian squad across all three formats.

Kohli’s outstanding performance in the World Cup saw him amass 765 runs in 11 innings, including three centuries, earning him the Player of the Tournament title.

According to reports, Kohli has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and will communicate when he plans to return to white-ball cricket.

Read more: What will be the new petrol price in Pakistan?

Currently, he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, making him available for selection in the two Test matches in South Africa.

Currently on holiday in London, Kohli has been consistently involved in cricket for several months. His previous break was just before the World Cup in September, when both he and captain Rohit Sharma were rested for the first two ODIs against Australia at home.

There is no clarity on Rohit’s availability for the white-ball selection at the moment. Rohit, who led the Indian team to 10 consecutive wins in the World Cup before the final loss, is also in the United Kingdom on a post-tournament break.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah is expected to engage in discussions with Rohit and chairman of selectors Agarkar soon to plan the future course.