Reports suggest that star cricket player Virat Kohli is back with the Indian team, gearing up for the first Test against South Africa. The match begins in Centurion on December 26. Rumors surfaced yesterday indicating the 35-year-old had urgently returned home for family reasons.
But Virat Kohli spent a few days in London, which was apparently not an unexpected journey brought on by a family issue. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management were aware of Virat Kohli’s travel schedule and his absence from the inter-squad match on December 20–22, as News18 recently revealed.
According to a top BCCI officer, as reported by News18:
“Virat Kohli wasn’t going to play that game. The team management was aware of his plan and schedule, and it isn’t something which happened overnight or due to a family emergency. Look at the player in question, it’s Virat Kohli. He is very well planned when it comes to these things and his London trip was communicated and planned well in advance.”
BCCI Official
The official added:
“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.”
BCCI Official
Virat Kohli was last seen in action in the sad 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia in Ahmedabad. Before entering the Test squad, the champion batsman rested for the white-ball part of the South African tour.
South Africa Test Series: Virat Kohli and Co. Brace for a Gruelling Battle
Team India has a difficult challenge as they attempt to cross their last obstacle and triumph in their first-ever Test series in South Africa.
The hosts have been victorious at their home grounds against the Asian titans, despite getting close several times in the past. Missing key players Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the two-Test series could make it harder for India to turn the tables.
During their 2021/22 South Africa tour, India nearly nabbed their first series victory. They were ahead 1-0 and had the upper hand in the second Test. But Dean Elgar delivered a stunning performance in his 96* fourth-innings of the Johannesburg second Test, just before retiring. His exceptional play led South Africa to a 2-1 comeback and prolonged India’s victory anticipation.
In all, South Africa has won 12 of the 23 Test matches played at home against India and only lost four; the other seven matches have been in draws. Following the first Test match at Centurion, on January 3, India and South Africa will play their second and final match in Cape Town.