Virat Kohli opts out of ODI series against South Africa next year
The Indian cricket fans will have to wait longer for the return of Virat Kohli to the pitch as a player in white-ball cricket. Kohli earlier announced his decision of stepping down from the post of India’s T20I captain. Following this, BCCI decided to appoint Rohit Sharma as the captain of ODIs as well.
Despite the controversy that surfaced online following this decision, both the players have accepted it, and Kohli will be seen playing as a mere player under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma in both the limited-over formats. However, the fan’s wait to see the two stars playing together in each other’s captaincy has further prolonged.
While Rohit Sharma was earlier deemed unfit for the 3-match Test series against South Africa, Kohli has decided to opt-out of the ODI series on the same tour. According to TNN’s report, Kohli had informed the BCCI in advance about his unavailability during the ODI series in January. It is understood that Kohli made this decision because of the series clashing with the first birthday of his daughter.
It’s a sheer coincidence that Rohit Sharma is missing the Test series in which he would be playing under Kohli’s captaincy, and Kohli has opted out of the series in which he would have to play under Rohit’s captaincy. However, still, there will be several rumours floating around the internet hinting at a rift between the players.
India kicks off the tour of South Africa on Boxing Day. They will be engaged in a 3 match test series, starting from the 26th of December.
