The Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI) is looking to relieve Virat Kohli as captain of the ODI side in order to
help him return to his imperious best as a batsman. According to a report in
NDTV, sources said that top BCCI officials will soon hold a conversation with the
33-year-old, adding that the change in the Men in Blues’ leadership could be
confirmed as soon as the upcoming away series against South Africa in January
next year.

Rohit Sharma is expected to lead the side
in the three-match ODI series, with Rahul as his deputy, sources told NDTV.

This comes days after the BCCI announced Rohit
as India’s captain for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand at home, while
Rahul was named vice-captain. Kohli, along with other mainstays like Jasprit Bumrah,
Ravindar Jadeja and others, have been rested for the three-match series.

India will host the Blackcaps for three
T20Is, starting November 17 in Jaipur, Ranchi (November 19) and Kolkata
(November 21) as well as two Test matches – in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai
(December 3-7).

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According to sources, Kohli has also opted
out of the first Test match in Kanpur, with his deputy Ajinkya Rahane set to lead
the side. They also said that Rohit has been rested for both matches, given the
little break between the second Test and the full tour of South Africa.

Kohli was appointed captain of the limited
overs side in 2017, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to step down from the role.
He has led the side in 50 T20Is, winning 30 of them. He has also been captain
for 95 ODIs, winning 65 and losing 27 of them.

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Kohli has guided the team to the final of
the Champions Trophy in 2017 as well as the semi-final of the ODI World Cup in
2019, but has failed to win any title as captain.