Virat Kohli will sit out of India’s tour of the West Indies. The star India batter was not included in the squad for the five T20Is. Rohit Sharma and co are also scheduled to play three ODIs.
As per a InsideSport report, Kohli is set to take a month-long break from cricket after the third ODI against England. He will only return to the team for the Asia Cup 2022, which will take place between August 27 and September 11.
Also read: What if I fall…: Kohli’s ‘perspective’ post ahead of 3rd ODI vs England
The report adds that Kohli will spend time with his family travelling to an undisclosed location. His wife, actor Anushka Sharma, is in the UK with him. The two were spotted attending a Krishna Das kirtan in London. As per InsideSport, Kohli’s mother Saroj would be joining them.
The report comes when several former cricketers and experts have questioned Virat Kohli’s position in the team. The 33-year-old has not scored a century since 2019. In the 14 T20Is he has played since 2021, the former India captain has scored 380 runs at a strike rate of 122.81 and average of 20.12. He is ranked 25th on the batting charts.
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On the England tour, he scored 11 and 20 runs in the rescheduled fifth Test, 1 and 11 in two T20Is and 16 runs in the only ODI he has played so far. Kohli is likely to be a part of India’s playing 11 in the third ODI, series decider, in Manchester on Sunday.
Also Read: How many T20Is does Virat Kohli have to get back in form before World Cup 2022?
The InsideSport quoted a selection committee member in their report, saying that Virat Kohli will have a permanent spot in the team and is in India’s plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup. But the decision will depend on his form and fitness.
Amid the reports, Virat Kohli put up a motivational post on social media. In the picture, he can be seen sitting in front of some art work, which has two wings with a message: “What if I fall… Oh but my darling, what if you fly.”
He captioned it: ‘Perspective’