NEW DELHI: Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli, the top run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Player of the Tournament, is said to be opting for a break from white-ball cricket. However, he is set to make himself available for the two Tests during the upcoming tour of South Africa.
According to The Indian Express, Kohli has informed the BCCIthat he won’t be participating in the white-ball matches during the South Africa tour.The tour kicks off with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-game ODI series. It concludes with the Boxing Day and New Year Tests at Centurion and Cape Town, respectively.”He (Kohli) has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and he will get back to them about when he wants to play white ball cricket next. At the moment he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa,” a source was quoted as saying in the report.
Kohli delivered an outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup hosted at home, accumulating an impressive total of 765 runs in 11 innings. This included three centuries, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the most number of ODI centuries by a batter. Currently, Kohli is enjoying a holiday in London.
According to The Indian Express, Kohli has informed the BCCIthat he won’t be participating in the white-ball matches during the South Africa tour.The tour kicks off with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-game ODI series. It concludes with the Boxing Day and New Year Tests at Centurion and Cape Town, respectively.”He (Kohli) has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and he will get back to them about when he wants to play white ball cricket next. At the moment he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa,” a source was quoted as saying in the report.
Kohli delivered an outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup hosted at home, accumulating an impressive total of 765 runs in 11 innings. This included three centuries, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for the most number of ODI centuries by a batter. Currently, Kohli is enjoying a holiday in London.
Before the World Cup, Kohli and Rohit Sharma were granted a break from first two ODIs against Australia in September, with the duo returning for the final game of the series in Rajkot.
The report added that there is no clarity yet on skipper Rohit being available for white-ball matches on the tour of South Africa starting from December 10.
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Like Kohli, Rohit is on a break in the United Kingdom post the World Cup. The report further said BCCI secretary Jay Shah will be speaking soon to Rohit and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to discuss the future roadmap of the Indian team.
(With IANS Inputs)
