Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is set for international cricket return against South Africa. The 35-year-old is set to link up with the Indian team ahead of the first Test Match against South Africa in Centurion. The Match is set to be played on the Traditional Boxing Day which is a huge calendar for cricket fans.
Virat Kohli sat down and spoke to Star Sports India the official broadcaster of the South Africa vs India series. It is to be noted that is the first time Virat Kohli has ever spoken after the heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final to Australia.
On Friday many news outlets and the Indian Cricket Board themselves confirmed that Virat Kohli is back in India. As per reports the reason behind the sudden departure is a family emergency which had to be tended to. It was also confirmed that Virat Kohli will fly back in time for the First Test starting on the 26th of December.
Virat Kohli lavishes praise on Test Cricket –
Nearly a month after the loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Virat Kohli has spoken for the first time. The former India captain was in conversation with Star Sports India about the importance of Test Cricket.
Virat Kohli said “Test Cricket for me is the foundation of the game. It’s history, It’s culture. It’s heritage. You come out on the other side and have 4 to 5 days, it’s a different feeling from anything else that you have experienced. As an individual, as a team, the job satisfaction of having played a long innings and winning your team a Test match is a special feeling”
The 35-year-old also said, “I am a traditionalist, so playing in whites, playing test cricket is everything. Really honoured to play more than 100 Tests for the country and pursue my dream of becoming a Test Cricketer”. Virat Kohli’s last test appearance was during the tour of West Indies where he scored a century.
Rohit Sharma is set to captain the Indian side as they look to break the jinx of not winning a series in South Africa. During the last tour, South Africa came back from behind to win the series 2-1. This time though the Indian team wants to win in what is being called the ‘Final Frontier’? Veteran South Africa batter Dean Elgar is set to quit the game after he announced his retirement from cricket after the series against India.