In a significant development, Virat Kohli has communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his decision to take an indefinite break from ODIs and T20Is, effectively ruling him out of India’s upcoming white-ball fixtures. The skipper’s absence will notably impact the team’s tour to South Africa and the subsequent T20I series against Afghanistan in January.
According to a BCCI source quoted by The Indian Express, Kohli has expressed his intention to concentrate on red-ball cricket for the time being and is expected to be available only for the two Tests in South Africa. The source stated, “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.”
While Kohli’s decision sheds light on his immediate cricketing focus, there is no clarity regarding the availability of Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team, for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour. Both Kohli and Rohit have refrained from T20 cricket since the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for June next year, speculations arose about their potential return to pursue victory in an ICC tournament.
However, as of now, it appears unlikely that Rohit and Kohli will feature in T20Is. Their participation in ODIs also remains uncertain. The limited white-ball action lined up till the T20 World Cup includes three T20Is and as many ODIs in South Africa, followed by a two-match Test series. Post this, India’s white-ball commitments are sparse until the T20 World Cup.
The BCCI is anticipated to announce India’s squads for the South Africa tour soon. In parallel news, the Indian cricket board has extended Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach. Dravid and his support staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, have been retained. The new term duration remains undisclosed.
