Virat Kohli Arrives In Centurion, Set to Play First Test Vs South Africa
Kohli is all set to the play the Boxing Day Test [X.com]
After being away from the team for a few days, Virat Kohli has rejoined the Indian team in Centurion ahead of the first Test between India and South Africa at SuperSport Park, which begins on December 26. However, he didn't join the practice session on Sunday.
Kohli had obtained permission from the team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before returning home.
Both the BCCI and the Indian team management were informed about Kohli's plans, and he was not scheduled to participate in the intra-squad game in Pretoria from December 20 to December 22. During this time, Kohli was not in Mumbai but in London with Anushka Sharma. This indicates that the trip was not a sudden one due to a family emergency.
Earlier, Kohli was seen on holiday in London with Anushka after the ICC World Cup 2023. Reports suggest that Anushka is expecting their second child, although the couple has not officially confirmed the news.
According to a BCCI official, Kohli's journey to the United Kingdom was approved by the Indian cricket board and the team management was well aware of his plans.
"Virat Kohli wasn’t going to play that game. The team management was aware of his plan and schedule, and it isn’t something that happened overnight or due to a family emergency. Look at the player in question, it’s Virat Kohli," said a senior BCCI official as per a News18 report.
"He is very well planned when it comes to these things, and his London trip was communicated and planned well in advance. Kohli left India for South Africa on December 15, had good 3-4 training sessions before he went to London on December 19. For the next few days, he was in London and has now linked up with the Test squad and will in all likelihood train in Centurion tomorrow,” he added.
Kohli had missed both of India’s white-ball series, the ODIs and T20Is, before joining the team on December 15. He trained with the squad for three days before his journey to London on December 19.
In the absence of Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who have all been ruled out with injuries, Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team.
Shami did not receive clearance from the BCCI medical team, Kishan requested a break, and Gaikwad sustained a finger injury in the second ODI. Consequently, KS Bharat and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been named as replacements in the squad, providing opportunities for others to step up in this crucial series.
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