Mumbai: Indian captain Virat Kohli cited ‘personal’ reasons and asked the BCCI for a break from national duty for the series against Sri Lanka as a result of which he might end us missing the December leg of the upcoming home series against the islanders. India would play one Test and the entire ODI and T20I series without their skipper Kohli if he’s allowed to take some time off.
India are slated to play three Tests and as many ODIs and T20Is against Sri Lanka at home, which begins on November 16 and ends on December 24.
A BCCI source said, “Kohli has informed the BCCI that there are some personal reasons and that is why he won’t be available in the month of December. Kohli has been playing non-stop cricket for quite sometimes now and he certainly would like to be fresh for South Africa tour in January.”
The last time Kohli had missed a match was earlier this year when he had to sit out of the deciding Test against Australia in Dharamsala with a shoulder injury as a result of Ajinkya Rahane had led the side.
Sri Lanka would play a lone warm-up match in Kolkata on November 11 with the first Test slated to begin on November 16 in Nagpur. Before the first ODI against New Zealand, Kohli was asked as to how he would handle the hectic schedule.
The 28-year-old had said that he rotation policy should be applicable for both batsman and bowlers so that they remain fit ahead of the tours of South Africa and England next year.
“Yes, we have spoken about the schedule, it’s become quite hectic. That’s something we will definitely have to sit and discuss in future. Because, if you look at New Zealand, they haven’t played any cricket after Champions Trophy. There has been such a good lay off. It can be the difference in doing well in a big tournament and performing poorly, ” said Virat Kohli.
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