Team India captain Virat Kohli has quashed all reports of skipping the three-match ODI series against South Africa saying that he is available for selection all throughout. Incidentally, soon after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test series, reports surfaced that Kohli might take a break during the ODIs against the Proteas.
Addressing the press before leaving for the South Africa tour, Virat Kohli said he was always available for selection and “keen to play” in the three ODIs and had no communication about taking a break with the BCCI.
“Well, I was and I am available for selection all this time. You should not be asking me this question honestly. This question should be asked to people who are writing about these things and their sources because as far as I am concerned I was always available. I have not had any communication with the BCCI to say that I want to rest,” Kohli said.
“There were a few things that came out in past as well where it was said I was attending some events or something which was absolutely not true either so you know, all these people who are writing these things and their sources, to me they are absolutely not credible…I was always keen to play. As I said, this question should be asked to people who are writing about this, writing lies, not to me,” he added.
“We don’t have any problems between us” – Virat Kohli on relation with Rohit Sharma
💬 💬 @ImRo45 and Rahul Dravid have my absolute support: @imVkohli #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/jXUwZ5W1Dz
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2021
Since Rohit Sharma’s promotion as ODI captain, the rumor has reignited old gossip about a ‘rift’ between the two senior batters. When specifically asked about his alleged ‘rift’ with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli stated that he is tired of clarifying the same old thing.
“Me and Rohit, I have said this before a lot of times that we don’t have any problems between us. Honestly, I have been regularly clarifying this for the last two-two and a half years and I am tired of clarifying this, this question is asked to me again and again. And I can guarantee one thing to you that as long as I am playing cricket, any action, or any communication will never be to pull down the team. This has always been my point of view from Indian cricket and it’s my commitment towards Indian cricket always,” Virat Kohli added.
India will begin their South Africa tour with a three-match Test series starting from December 26 followed by three ODIs.
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