BCCI confirms Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli unavailable for white-ball leg of SA tour

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be seen in action during the two-match Test series against South Africa.

On November 30, 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India squads for the all-format tour of South Africa next month. The board also confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not picked for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour.

India will be playing 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs, and 2 Tests on their full-fledged tour to South Africa starting 10th December.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last represented India in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023. The duo did everything they could to help their club win the cup. While Sharma scored 597 runs, Kohli finished the competition as the tournament’s best run-getter with 765 runs.

Reason revealed why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli skipped the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour

Both the players are on a break for now and were not named in the India T20I squad which is playing Australia right now. In fact, it was rumored that Kohli had told the board that he’d communicate to them when he wanted to play white-ball cricket next. However, both players have been named in the India Test squad for the two-match series against the Proteas.

It sparked several theories as to why the game’s two pioneers aren’t on the roster. However, the reason for this has since been exposed. The BCCI issued a formal statement regarding the absence from the squad, claiming that the duo requested rest from the white-ball leg.

Releasing the official statement, BCCI stated: “Mr Rohit Sharma and Mr. Virat Kohli had requested the Board for a break from the white-ball leg of the tour.” 

Apart from sharing the news about Kohli and Rohit , the BCCI also stated Mohammed Shami, who has also been left out of the T20I and ODI squads. The pacer is receiving medical treatment, according to the governing organization.

“Mr Mohd. Shami is currently undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness,” BCCI stated.

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