‘Indian cricket the new Big Boss now?’ – Fans react to reports on Virat Kohli skipping South Africa ODIs
Speculations have been rife since reports have emerged that Virat Kohli is set to give the three-match ODI series in South Africa a miss. Kohli, India’s Test match skipper, who was earlier this month removed from the ODI captaincy post, could skip the ODIs that follow the Gandhi-Mandela Trophy on India’s much-anticipated tour of South Africa.
It is not yet offically confirmed why Kohli wouldn’t be available for the ODI series, especially as it immediately follows his sacking from the 50-over captaincy this month. However, a report in the Times of India stated that Virat Kohli has already informed the BCCI of his unavailability due to his daughter’s first birthday in early January.
“Kohli had informed the Indian cricket board (BCCI) in advance that he would take a break in early January. Since the ODI series coincides with the first birthday of his daughter, Kohli had communicated that he could not participate in the One-day series,” TOI reported.
The report from TOI also mentioned that Virat Kohli’s decision to miss the ODI leg of South Africa series has nothing to do with the captaincy saga that has hogged the limelight in Indian cricket since the beginning of the T20 World Cup in October. Prior to the event, Kohli confirmed that the tournament will be his last assignment as the T20I skipper.
But soon, after the end of the home series against New Zealand, the BCCI confirmed that they are moving on from Kohli even as the ODI captain. That, despite Kohli clearly mentioning in his statement at the time of relinquishing the T20I captaincy post that he would like to continue leading the side in ODIs along with the Tests.
The BCCI did no presser or offered any concrete explanation as to why they are taking Kohli’s ODI captaincy away, simply stating that Rohit Sharma will be the new white-ball skipper “going forward”. This, along with the latest of Kohli’s decision to skip the ODIs, has led to a massive uproar over social media, with fans smelling contentious back and forth between Virat Kohli and the Sourav Ganguly led BCCI regime.
The Indian board under president Ganguly is being accused of creating an environment that leads to an ego tussle and rift between Kohli and Rohit, which threatens to spoil the dressing room atmosphere.
At the same time, some have also backed Kohli’s decision to take a break when he needs and to prioritise his personal life.
Virat Kohli is set to miss the South Africa ODIs in January.
Fans disappointed as Virat Kohli decides to skip the South Africa ODIs
I'm just so sad, because the BCCI has robbed us of watching two heroes of the game walk out together, to win more games together. To see Kohli become an even bigger great.
All these factions for what? Money? Power? Authority? Remember it's the players who get you everything
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) December 14, 2021
I hate missing to watch my kid play on the swing or dancing to a song.
Virat Kohli is missing the series for the first birthday of his daughter! "National duty comes first" and people speculating can for once at least keep shut. Let him have his personal life.
No replies. Bye.
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 14, 2021
Indian cricket is the new Bigg Boss now? Every day so much intrigue. And everyday somebody is out of the team
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) December 14, 2021
ODI is the least important format right now, there is enough ODI from July to prepare for the WC in 2023 and with all these bubbles, it's better to take rest & enjoy with family when it is needed so I don't think there is much to think about why Virat Kohli is resting from ODI.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 14, 2021
I think it's silly to believe that Rohit faked his injury…
But, now the Kohli thing is interesting… Perhaps, Ganguly imagined that he could treat Kohli as he wanted, and the King will bow down to the Prince of Kolkata.
— TUSHAR
(@mainlycricket) December 14, 2021
Frustrating. Kohli missing the ODI series that is
— Udit (@udit_buch) December 14, 2021
The way things are shaping, forget about ICC events, Bilaterals will be tough to win now.
— Mr. A
All this bhasad and confusion kabhi nahi hota agar day 1 aap PC karke bata dete kya status hai dono players ka, lekin nahi board ko bhi maza aata hai tamashe karne me.
— Shantanu Shrivastava (@DaKingInDaNorff) December 14, 2021
The news on Virat Kohli opting out of the South Africa tour follows one on Rohit Sharma, who is set to miss the Test match leg of the tour after picking up a hamstring injury at practise in Mumbai ahead of joining the team’s bubble.
The BCCI confirmed on Monday (December 13) that Rohit is being replaced by Gujarat and India A opener Priyank Panchal for the South Africa Test series as the former “sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai” a day earlier.
The Test series against South Africa starts on December 26 in Centurion. The ODI series will be played from January 19 to 23.