NEW DELHI: India’s Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli is reported to have decided to take a break from T20Is to concentrate on ODIs and Test cricket.
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According to Indian media reports, Kohli hasn’t told the BCCI when he plans to return to T20Is, but will not play any T20s before the IPL 2023, and will take a brief break after his tour of Bangladesh before returning for the ODI series.
However, Indian media quoted senior BCCI official as saying “yes, Virat has informed he is unavailable for the T20s. He will return for the ODI series. It’s unclear at the moment whether he is taking a sabbatical from T20Is. But of course, he will be in plans for important series. As for Rohit, it looks tough and we don’t want to rush his return. Whether he is fit is a call that will be made in the due course. He is batting but can’t take the risk in feeding.”
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The T20 team will be captained by Hardik Pandya. Rohit, who has a broken thumb, is battling against time to be ready for the ODIs that begin on January 10. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma will also be absent in addition to Kohli. Kohli is one of the major absentees in T20s with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi getting the go in SriLanka series. Kohli will return for SL ODI series.
Reports suggest despite being in peak physical condition, Kohli, 34, wants to control his workload. He still has aspirations to compete in the 2024 World Cup, but he will concentrate more on the longer formats. He will, however, continue to play T20 in the IPL. India will play 6 T20 matches with a youthful lineup prior to the IPL.
