Virat Kohli takes indefinite break from ODIs, T20Is, says report; will Rohit Sharma play?

Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he would not be available for selection in white-ball matches for an indefinite period. Thus, it obviously means that he wouldn’t be playing in South Africa. Also, he wouldn’t be a part of the team in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January, reported The Indian Express citing a source in BCCI. Kohli will only take part in red-ball cricket, which means he will play against South Afrca in the two Tests.

“He (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, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa,” the source said.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty about India captain Rohit Sharma’s availability for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour. It must be noted that both Kohli and Rohit have not participated in T20 cricket for India since the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, when Team India lost in the semis.

Cricket fans are still expecting these giants of Indian cricket to return to the shortest format of cricket in next year’s T20 World Cup, as that would give them another opportunity to get their hands on the coveted ICC trophy, which has eluded India since 2023. But amidst the current state of affairs, that seems unlikely.