Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media ahead of Team India’s upcoming South Africa tour, scheduled to begin on December 26th. Kohli clarified that he will be available for the three-match ODI series and had never asked for a break, contrary to media reports. Kohli also said that he came to know of Rohit Sharma replacing him as ODI captain just one-and-a-half hours before the Test series squad for South Africa was announced. “I was contacted one-and-a-half hours before selection for Tests. The chief selector discussed the Test with me. Before the call ended I was told that the 5 selectors have decided that I won’t be ODI captain anymore. There was no prior communication about this,” Kohli said in the press conference.
‘About Communication from BCCI Kohli said, “When I told BCCI that I want to give up T20I captaincy, it was accepted really well. There was no hesitancy. I was told that it was a progressive step. I was informed at that time that I would like to lead in ODIs and Tests. The communication from my side was clear but I had also informed that if the office bearers and selectors don’t think I should lead in other formats then that is fine.’
The opening Test match will be played in Centurion at the SuperSport Park from December 26th to 30th. Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium will be the host to the second Test between January 3rd to 7th next year. The third and final Test will be played in Newlands in Cape Town between January 11th to 15th. Other than the Tests, India will also engage in a three-match ODI series while the T20I series was rescheduled for later.