Bad news for fans of the Indian cricket team in South Africa: if you were expecting to see Virat Kohli in one-day international (ODI) or T20 cricket, don’t. The Indian Express reports that Virat Kohli will be taking an indefinite break from white-ball cricket. At 35 years old, Kohli is arguably closer to the end of his career than the beginning. The move is somewhat surprising, especially since Kohli was named Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded 2023 Cricket World Cup and with the World T20 just over six months away. However, considering his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments and responsibilities as a global face of the game, it could be fairly argued that no one deserves a break more than Kohli, who is one of only two players to play 100 Tests, ODIs, and T20s for his country.
The source stated, “He (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, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa.”
Mr. Kohli is currently on holiday in London and will be eager to help India win what is for them the final frontier. No Indian team has ever won a Test series in South Africa.
The first Test against South Africa starts on Boxing Day in Centurion, while the second Test will take place in Cape Town in the New Year
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