Virat Kohli clears air about alleged rift with Rohit Sharma

Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, said there were no issues between him and Rohit Sharma, who has been named to lead the team in ODIs. “There is no problem between me and Rohit. I have been clarifying for the past two years and I am tired,” he said  in an interaction with the media ahead of the team’s forthcoming trip to South Africa, which begins on December 26. 

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Amidst rising speculation of a possible rift between the two senior players and the possibility of him missing the upcoming ODI series, Kohli cleared the air. “I can understand the reasons (for appointing Rohit). BCCI has taken the reasons from a logical point of view,” Kohli said. 

“My responsibility is to push the team in the right direction. Rohit is a very able captain and tactically very sound. Along with Rahul (Dravid) bhai, who is a great man manager. They will get my 100 percent support in ODIs and T20Is,” he added.

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Kohli also highlighted that it was an opportunity for Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul to step up during Rohit Sharma’s absence from the team due to an injury. He also spoke about Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from the overseas series and said, “We all know Jadeja’s quality and he will be missed. But we have enough bench strength. As much as we will miss him, I am sure that will not be a deciding factor.”

The first Test match will be held at SuperSport Park in Centurion from December 26 to 30. The second Test will be held at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium from January 3 to 7, 2019. The third and final Test will be held in Cape Town’s Newlands from January 11 to 15. 

Aside from the Tests, India will play a three-match ODI series, with the T20I series being rescheduled to a later date.