Substantiates Speculation About Rift: Mohammad Azharuddin Questions Timing Of Virat, Rohit's Break

Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of Ind vs SA Test series due to a left hand hamstring injury, while Virat Kohli will not play the Ind vs SA ODI series due to "personal reasons".

New Delhi: Reports of possible rift between team India's star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have gained heat after both captains of team India are not playing a particular format during India's tour of South Africa. Fans are speculating that Rohit and Virat do not want to play under each other.

Along with the announcement of India's 18-member Test team for Ind vs SA series, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Rohit Sharma will lead the ODI team along with being the T20 team captain.

Apart from this, Rohit was made the vice-captain of the Test team, replacing Ajinkya Rahane.

Unfortunately, Rohit has been ruled out of the Test series due to a left hand hamstring injury, while Virat will not play the ODI series due to "personal reasons".

Meanwhile, ex-India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin said that the timing of Rohit Sharma's injury and Virat Kohli taking a break from ODI series against South Africa substantiates speculation about the rift between the two players.

"Virat Kohli has informed that he's not available for the ODI series & Rohit Sharma is unavailable fr d upcoming test. There is no harm in taking a break but d timing has to be better. This just substantiates speculation abt d rift. Neither will be giving up d another form of cricket," Azharuddin tweeted.

Virat Kohli has informed that he's not available for the ODI series & Rohit Sharma is unavailable fr d upcoming test. There is no harm in takin a break but d timing has to be better. This just substantiates speculation abt d rift. Neither wil be giving up d other form of cricket.

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) December 14, 2021

However, Rohit, in an exclusive interview with BCCI, had said he is looking forward to enjoying the matches that he and Kohli will play together in future.

Goals & excitement 👍
Working with Rahul Dravid 👌@imVkohli's legacy as India's white-ball captain 👏#TeamIndia's new white-ball captain @ImRo45 discusses it all in this special feature for https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ 👍 👍

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— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021

"We had a great time playing under him. I have played a lot of cricket with him and enjoyed each and every moment and I will still continue to do that. We need to keep getting better as a team and as individuals and that will be the focus for not just me but for the entire squad moving forward," Rohit said.