New Delhi: Virat Kohli is all set to take the field for the first time, 'only as a batter', after relinquishing team India's captaincy in all three formats of cricket. The 33-year-old resigned from the Test captaincy after losing the Test series 1-2 against South Africa. KL Rahul-led team India will now take on Proteas in a three-match ODI series, starting from January 19 in Paarl.
For the first time in seven years, Virat will be playing in the national team only as a batter. Last time Virat played for India, not as skipper but only as a batter, was during a match at Melbourne Cricket Ground in which he scored 169 runs against mighty Australia.
When India take on South Africa at the Boland Park on January 19, Virat Kohli will play in the blue jersey for the first time after relinquishing the T20 and ODI captaincy. After the T20 World Cup, India played a T20 series against New Zealand, but Virat was not a part of that series.
Ahead of Ind vs SA 1st ODI, Virat Kohli took to Twitter to share pictures from his intense batting practice session. However, his fans had a mixed reaction to his post. While some fans feared Virat might make another shocking announcement, others wished the legend best of luck ahead of his much-awaited outing in the blue jersey.
Check out fans reaction...
After stepping down as the T20 captain, Virat did not want to give up the ODI captaincy but the BCCI decided to sack him and make Rohit Sharma the white-ball captain. Virat Kohli has been under the scanner for his form as for the first time in his career, he hasn't been able to score a century in two straight years.