While Virat Kohli was adjudged the 'Player Of The Tournament' in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, following India's heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the final, it is now being learned that the man with the most number of hundreds in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has opted for an indefinite break from white-ball cricket. This suggests that Kohli will not be seen in either the ODI or the T20I series between India and South Africa.
Even though there has not been an official confirmation regarding Kohli's absence from white-ball cricket, the same has been claimed in an Indian Express report which cites an undisclosed source.
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"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…" the source was quoted as saying in the report.
No Claity On Rohit Sharma's White-Ball Pla
Meanwhile, there is no clarity on Rohit Sharma's white-ball plans either. India are set to take on South Africa in a three T20I, three ODI and two-match Test series and irrespective of Rohit's limited-overs cricket plan, both are likely to feature in the red-ball format. As things stand, it seems unlikely that the two star batters, who have carried the burden of India's batting for well over a decade, will play the T20 World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has extended the contract of head coach Rahul Dravid as well as the support staff. Dravid's tenure had ended post the ODI World Cup final but the Indian cricket board has now officially extended his tenure. They have, however, not specified how long Dravid's stint will last.