Virat Kohli To Miss ODI Series Against South Africa: Reports

Virat Kohli is all set to miss the ODI series against South Africa as per reports by various media sources. A report in the Times of India suggests that Virat is taking time off to celebrate his daughter Vamika’s first birthday. Vamika was born on January 11 last year, and the India Test skipper is said to be planning a holiday with his family after the conclusion of the Test series. The final Test of the tour will be played from Jan 11 to 15. The ODI series will kick off on January 19.

 The BCCI on Monday, December 13 confirmed that Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the Test series against South Africa with a hamstring injury. Priyank Panchal is all sert to replace him in the squad.

“Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad. Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa,” a BCCI tweet stated.

NEWS – Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India's Test squad.

Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa.#SAvIND | @PKpanchal9 pic.twitter.com/b8VgoN52LW

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021

Virat Kohli To Celebrate Daughter Vamika’s Birthday

Now Virat Kohli has also opted out of the ODI series to spend time with his family. A BCCI official gave a statement on Kohli’s absence from the ODI series stating that former Indian white-ball skipper wanted to spend some time with family. 

https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1470619817967173632?s=20

“Virat Kohli has informed us that he’ll not be available for the ODI series. He wants to spend time with his family – don’t read into social media rumours too much, there is nothing between Virat and Rohit” said the BCCI official. 

The first ODI will be played in Paarl on January 19 with the second and third ODI in Cape Town on January 21 and 23. The ODIs will follow the two-match Test series with the first test in Centurion from December 26. Rohit was rested for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which India won 1-0.