India star batter Virat Kohli is set to take a break from white-ball cricket indefinitely, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Kohli, who was the top run-getter in the 2023 World Cup, has reportedly informed the BCCI that he would not be available for selection in white-ball matches for an indefinite period. This effectively rules him out of the white-ball leg of India's upcoming tour to South Africa and the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January.
"He (Kohli) has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and he will get back to them about when he wants to play white-ball cricket next.
At the moment he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa," a BCCI source was quoted as saying in the report.
On the other hand, there is no clarity on India captain Rohit Sharma's availability for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour. Both Rohit and Kohli have not played T20 cricket since the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia but with the World Cup lined up for June next year, there were talks if both of them would want to return to have one final crack at winning an ICC trophy.
Besides, after the kind of performance Rohit put in with the bat in the World Cup and the leadership skills he possesses, it is only fair to ask him to lead India's charge at the T20 World Cup, especially considering the fact that it is only six months away.
India are set to play three T20Is and as many ODIs before a two-Test series in their tour of South Africa, starting with the T20Is on December 10 in Durban.