A day after an injured Rohit Sharma was ruled out of India’s Test series in South Africa, reports have emerged that Virat Kohli is likely to skip the ODIs series. India’s first ODI against South Africa is on January 19 with the next two matches are on January 21 and 23, respectively. (More Cricket News)
It has been reported that Virat Kohli has communicated to the BCCI that he would take a break in early January because of his daughter's birthday. News agency PTI has reported that Kohli has made no such request to the BCCI.
Virat Kohli, who relinquished India’s T20 captaincy at the end of the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE, has been stripped off the ODI captaincy as well. A fit-again Rohit Sharma is expected to lead India in the ODIs in South Africa. Rohit injured his hamstring while training on Sunday in Mumbai and was replaced by Priyank Panchal in the Test side.
Ever since the BCCI replaced Kohli as ODI captain, talks of 'rift' have been doing the rounds. While Rohit Sharma has spoken highly of Virat Kohli as captain, reports suggest that all is not well in the Indian cricket camp.
PTI has quoted an anonymous BCCI 'official' saying Kohli has not said anything officially that he will skip the ODIs in South Africa. But in Indian cricket anything can happen. Transparent communication has always been a problem with players and officials.
Virat was rested for the T20 international series against New Zealand which India won 3-0 and also the drawn first Test match in Kanpur. Virat was relieved from his captaincy duties in the ODIs too but will continue to lead the Test side.
'MUST-WIN MENTALITY'
Earlier, in interaction with bcci.tv, Rohit said he enjoyed ‘each and every moment’ playing under Virat Kohli.
“Five years that he led the team, he led from the front every time, we stepped on to the park, and there was clear grit and determination to win every game, that was the message to the entire squad,” Rohit said.
“We have had a great time playing under him (Kohli) and I have played a lot of cricket under him, I have enjoyed each and every moment, still continue to do that,” he added.
Ever since Rohit was made the captain in both ODIs and T20 internationals, the relationship between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has been under the scanner.
