Virat Kohli to skip South Africa ODIs for personal reasons: Reports

India Test captain Virat Kohli is likely to miss the three-match ODI series against South Africa that will follow the Test series. According to a report in the Times of India, the 33-year-old has already informed BCCI about his unavailability for the ODIs. Kohli has plans to go for a small vacation with his family on his daughter, Vamika’s first birthday, which falls on January 11.

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Meanwhile, there are doubts about the participation of the ODI captain Rohit Sharma as well. The right-hand batter picked up an injury while practicing in Mumbai. He has already been ruled out of the Test series. The injury is reportedly serious and will take some time to heal. This was supposed to be Rohit’s first series as full-time India ODI captain.

The BCCI had also named Rohit Sharma as the deputy in the Test format. However, the 34-year-old’s untimely injury, coupled with Kohli missing the ODI series will be a huge blow for India.

The team has never won a Test series in South Africa and Rohit’s experience would have come in handy, considering the form he has shown in recent times. The tour is set to get underway on December 26 in Centurion.

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Recently, Rohit spoke richly about the legacy Kohli left as the leader in ODI format, saying that he turned the team into a fearless unit.

"He's (Virat) put the team in a situation where there is no looking back. Those five years he has led the team, he led from the front every time we stepped onto the park. There was clear grit and determination to win every game. That was the message to the entire squad," said Rohit Sharma.

"We had a great time playing under him. I have played a lot of cricket with him, I have enjoyed each and every moment and I'll still continue to do that. We need to keep getting better as a team and as individuals and that will be the focus not just for me but for the entire squad moving forward," he added.