India are set to tour South Africa for a three-match Test series followed by the same number of ODIs. The Test series is part of the World test championship 2021-2023 while ODIs are part of the ODI Super League which is the qualification tournament For the World Cup 2023.
India hasn’t won a Test series in South Africa and will be motivated to win and end the drought this time around. Meanwhile, there were a lot of talks about Virat Kohli after he was shockingly sacked from the ODIs.
Reports also surfaced that the talismanic batsman might skip the ODIs to celebrate his daughter’s birthday in January. While a lot of speculations were going on since the last week, Virat Kohli has finally opened during the pre-tour press conference.
Here are 5 take away from the press conference by Test captain Virat Kohli ahead of the South Africa tour.
1) Kohli is available for South Africa ODIs And not taking Rest
There were reports that Virat Kohli could miss the ODI leg of the series but the former skipper has confirmed his availability for the ODI series. Virat Kohli will continue to spearhead the batting lineup.
Moreover, he could have extra responsibility if the newly appointed captain Rohit Sharma doesn’t recover from his injury before the ODI series starting on January 19.
“I was and I am available for selection all the time. I never communicated with BCCI asking for rest and am available for the ODI series in South Africa and was always available. It should be asked to people who are writing lies. My communication with the BCCI on this issue has not happened that I want to rest,” Kohli said in the virtual press conference.
2) Kohli contradicts BCCI president Ganguly Statement
A few days back Sourav Ganguly made a revelation that he personally requested Kohli to not step down as T20I captain and to reconsider the decision. Kohli had decided to quit as T20I captain after the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
However, the Delhi-born cricketer asserted that there was no such discussion and his decision was welcomed whole-heartedly by the office-bearers.
“When I decided to leave the T20I captaincy and approached the BCCI about my decision, it was received well – there was no offence or hesitation, I wasn’t told to reconsider it,” Kohli said.
3) Kohli on his sudden removal As ODI captain
Kohli while leaving the T20I captaincy said that he would like to continue to lead India in ODIs and Tests but was removed as ODI captain.
Rohit Sharma replaced him as the captain of the team. Kohli acknowledged the fact that not winning any major ICC trophy to his led to his removal as white-ball captain. He also revealed removal from ODI captaincy took place 90 minutes before the selectors furnished the final squad for the South Africa series
“The chief selector [Chetan Sharma] discussed with me the Test team to which we both agreed, and before ending the call I was told the five selectors have decided I will not be the ODI captain, to which I replied, ‘okay, fine. And in the selection call afterwards, we chatted about it briefly. That’s what happened. There was no communication prior to that at all,” Kohli recalled.
4) On rumours of a rift between him and Rohit
💬 💬 @ImRo45 and Rahul Dravid have my absolute support: @imVkohli #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/jXUwZ5W1Dz
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 15, 2021
There are rumours of a rift between two legends of Indian cricket although both of them have not said anything about each other in public. The fans and media create assumptions but Virat Kohli said there is no problem between him and Rohit Sharma.
“I have been clarifying for the past two years and I am tired now. I want to also say one thing that none of my actions or decisions will be to take the team down,” Kohli added.
5) On Not winning series in South Africa
Team India do not have a great record in South Africa. They have won only 3 Test out of 20 matches played in the Rainbow Nation while seven ended in a draw.
After winning the test series in Australia, Kohli & Co will hope the win in South Africa for the first time in history.
“South Africa is one place where we have not won a series yet. So we are very motivated to do that. And the mindset is always to go there and win a series in any country that we play. We don’t anymore think of just winning a Test here and there and we will do our absolute best that we can as a team and make sure that we keep contributing towards that cause,” he added.
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