Virat Kohli, an ace cricketer, will be absent from upcoming white-ball matches for an ‘indefinite period’. India will start its South Africa tour next month with a T20 International in Durban on December 10. It is also uncertain whether Rohit Sharma, who captained the team to 10 consecutive wins before a World Cup final loss, will be available for white-ball selection. After the World Cup, both players are currently in the United Kingdom enjoying a break.
“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. The Indian Express quoted a source to explain.
India will play three T20 internationals, three ODIs, and two Test matches during their upcoming tour of South Africa. However, the report indicates that Kohli will only play in the two-match Test series. While the national selection committee has not yet announced the Indian team for all three formats, Kohli and Sharma are likely to be part of the Test team.
Kohli broke several records this month with his World Cup performance, becoming the first-ever batter to hit 50 ODI centuries. He became the top run-scorer and beat Sachin Tendulkar’s total of 673 runs during the 2003 World Cup. Kohli scored 765 runs at an average of 95.62 and hit three centuries and six fifties.
Meanwhile, the BCCI announced on Wednesday that it was extending the contract of head coach Rahul Dravid in order to maintain continuity following the team’s stupendous performance in the ODI World Cup.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India announces the extension of contracts for head coach Rahul Dravid and the support staff of Team India (senior men). The BCCI engaged in productive discussions with Dravid after the term of his contract ended following the recently concluded World Cup and unanimously agreed to further the tenure,” the sports body said in a statement.
Dravid’s extension was not specified by the BCCI.
(With inputs from agencies)
