Virat Kohli affirmed his participation in the ODIs in South Africa in January 2022. Kohli denied the rumours that he had wanted a break from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and he also spoke up for the 1st time after Rohit Sharma took over as India’s ODI captain.
The tour will begin with 3 Tests in Centurion on December 26-30, followed by 3 ODIs in Johannesburg between January 3-7, and the final one in Cape Town from January 11-15. The ODIs, which would not be included in the ICC ODI WC Super League, will begin on January 19 in Paarl, which will also stage the 2nd ODI on 21st January well before the last one on 23rd January in Cape Town.
I haven’t had any communication with BCCI where I have asked for any break: Kohli
“I am available for selection in the ODIs. You should honestly ask these questions to the sources who are writing all this,” Kohli told reporters in a virtual press conference on December 15. “There were certain things that came out in the past which said that I was attending events but there is nothing like that and those are not credible.”
“I was and I am available for selection. I haven’t had any communication with BCCI where I have asked for any break. I am available for selection for ODIs in South Africa. People are writing lies. I have never asked for rest,” Kohli stated bluntly.
He described being informed by the selection committee an hour and a half well before team selection for the 3-Test South Africa series, as he was advised about Rohit’s choice as the new ODI skipper. Kohli noted that this was his first conversation with BCCI officials on the subject.
I would like to lead in ODIs and Tests: Kohli
“I was contacted one and a half hours before selection for Tests. The chief selector discussed with me the Test [team for South Africa]. Before the call ended, I was told that the five selectors have decided that I won’t be ODI captain anymore. There was no prior communication about this.”
Kohli stated that he truly wish to proceed leading the team in ODIs, which has been clearly stated in his remark when he revealed his decision to step down as the team’s T20I captain in order to effectively manage his workload, and also added that he was always willing to give up the leadership responsibilities in any format if the selection committee felt so.
“When I told BCCI that I want to give up the T20I captaincy, it was accepted really well. There was no hesitancy. I was told that it was a progressive step. I had informed at that time that I would like to lead in ODIs and Tests. The communication from my side was clear but I had also informed that if the office bearers and selectors don’t think I should lead in other formats then that is fine.”
