Virat to skip ODI series in SA? What’s cooking?

BCCI refutes reports of Kohli skipping ODIs in South Africa

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

After vice-captain Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test series due to recurrence of a left hamstring injury, reports have emerged that Virat Kohli will take a break during the ODIs to spend some time with his young family. India Test captain has not put in any formal request for a break from the ODI leg of the upcoming South Africa tour, a top BCCI official has asserted.

Kohli will be leading India in a three-Test series starting December 26 in Centurion and the series ends on January 15 in Cape Town with the third and final Test. The three-match ODI series will kick off on January 19.

“As of now, Kohli hasn’t sent any formal request to skip the ODIs to either BCCI president Sourav Ganguly or secretary Jay Shah. If something is decided at a later date or God forbid, he sustains an injury, then it’s a different matter,” a senior BCCI official privy to developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“The skipper is travelling with his family. But yes, if he feels bubble fatigue after the Test series and wants to take a break, he would definitely inform the chairman of selectors and secretary (Shah), who is the convenor of the selection committee,” the source added.

One reason for the current speculation could be that once India are back home , they will again be inside an extended bubble for three weeks with Sri Lanka coming in for Tests and T20 Internationals.

And now, it remains to be seen if Kohli takes a break in South Africa or more likely skips the T20 series against Sri Lanka at home.

‘No harm in taking break but timing has to be better’

Former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin on Tuesday said there is no harm in taking a break but the timing has to be better.

“Virat Kohli has informed that he’s not available for the ODI series & Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the upcoming test. There is no harm in taking a break but the timing has to be better. This just substantiates speculation about the rift. Neither will be giving up the other form of cricket,” Azharuddin tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies)