Virat Kohli To Skip T20Is, ODIs vs South Africa, Rohit Sharma Yet To Confirm Availability: Sources

29.11.2023 - 06:41 sports.ndtv.com

As the Indian cricket team enters a new phase after the conclusion of the Cricket World Cup 2023, a young brigade, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is leading the unit against Australia in a 5-match T20I series.

But, with the all-format tour of South Africa not far away, there isn't any official confirmation on the availability of seniors like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

It has now been learned that Kohli has decided to give the white-ball assignment against the Proteas a miss. He will only join the team for the Test series.

According to NDTV sources, Kohli has opted out of the T20I and ODI series against South Africa, beginning December 10. Kohli's future, especially in the shortest format, has been under discussion since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2022.

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KL Rahul is not chucking the big gloves away in ODIs anytime soon and made it clear that he wouldn't mind standing behind the stumps when the 'Boxing Day' Test against South Africa comes calling in just over a week's time. Leading the ODI team after regular skipper Rohit Sharma took a break from the white ball leg of the South Africa tour, the stylish right-hander also gave enough hints that Rinku Singh is all set to be rewarded with an ODI debut after displaying impressive technique, sound temperament and commendable game awareness in the T20 series. Asked whether he will keep wickets in the ODI series starting on Sunday, Rahul answered in affirmative. "Yes, I will I be keeping wickets and batting in the middle-order and after that I would be happy to keep wickets in Test matches," Rahul told media persons during the pre-series interaction.

"4 More Test Centuries Loading": Fans Hopeful As Virat Kohli Leaves For South Africa Test Series

India star Virat Kohli has left for South Africa for the upcoming two-match Test series set to be played in the rainbow nation, starting December 26. The first game will take place at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Meanwhile, the second Test will kick off on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town. It is worth noting that Kohli was not named in the white-ball series against the Proteas but he is a part of the squad for the two Test matches. This will be Kohli's first international assignment post India's loss to Australia in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final.

On Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Playing T20 World Cup 2024, AB De Villiers' Big 'Hunger' Verdict

The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has been the topic of several debates both among experts and fans in the recent past. Following India's defeat against Australia in the Cricket World Cup 2023 final, reports surfaced that the veteran duo are looking to move away from the shortest format of the sport and the conversation got more intense when they were not included in the white-ball series against South Africa. However, legendary South African cricketer AB De Villiers believes that it is all about the hunger in both the players and he backed Rohit and Virat to play for India in the T20 World Cup 2024.

"Virat Kohli Will Play Major Role": South Africa Great Praises India Star Ahead Of Test Series

Team India's ongoing all-format tour against South Africa started on a disappointing note as the first T20I got washed out due to rain in Durban on Sunday. The second T20I will be played on Tuesday in Gqeberha and the young guns of India, led by star batter Suryakumar Yadav will aim for a perfect outing. Post the T20Is and the three-match ODI series, both the teams will be squaring off in a two-match Test series, where skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be joining the squad.

"Burn With Envy...": Brian Lara Slams Those Calling Virat Kohli 'Selfish'

Virat Kohli was in sublime form at the Cricket World Cup. The former Indian cricket team captain became the first player in history to scored over 700 runs in a single edition of the ODI Cricket World Cup. In 11 matches, Virat Kohli scored 765 runs at an average of 95.62. Virat Kohli also scored three centuries and six half-centuries. However, Virat Kohli's batting did not fully impress several like former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez.

India vs South Africa: Full Schedule, Venues And Squads For T20Is, ODIs, And Tests

India started their redemption for ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat on a positive note as thy thrashed Australia 4-1 in a five-match T20I series. Led by star batter Suryakumar Yadav, the hosts registered thumping wins over the Aussies with contributions from players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel. Team India is now up for it's new assignment, which is an all-format tour of South Africa. The series will kick start from December 10 with three T20Is, followed by as many ODIs from December 17, and will be concluded by a two-match Test series from December 26.