Virat Kohli has returned to the Indian cricket team to gear up for the upcoming first Test against South Africa, scheduled for December 26. The prominent Indian batsman had been in London for several days, a trip that had been pre-planned rather than a sudden response to a family emergency.
According to reliable sources, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian team management were informed in advance about Kohli’s travel plans. It was predetermined that he wouldn’t participate in the inter-squad game in Pretoria from December 20 to December 22.
A senior official from BCCI stated, “Virat Kohli had no plans to participate in that particular game. His itinerary and schedule were communicated to the team management well beforehand. This wasn’t an impromptu decision; Kohli, being the player he is, meticulously plans such matters. His trip to London was part of this pre-established schedule.”
Kohli had trained with the team for three days before departing for London from South Africa. He has now reunited with the squad in preparation for the Boxing Day Test. The former Indian captain traveled to South Africa from India on December 15, spent three days with the team, and then flew to London on December 19.
“He departed from India to South Africa on December 15, engaging in productive training sessions before heading to London on December 19. After spending several days in London, he has rejoined the Test squad and is expected to resume training in Centurion tomorrow,” the official added.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team is scheduled for a morning training session on December 24 and an afternoon session on December 25, leading up to the inaugural Test of the two-match series. Subsequently, the team will depart for Cape Town on December 31 to commence preparations for the second Test starting on January 3 at Newlands.
Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be absent from the series. Shami’s participation was contingent upon his fitness, but he did not receive clearance from the BCCI Medical Team. Kishan withdrew from the squad citing the need for a break, while Gaikwad was sidelined due to a finger injury sustained during the second ODI against South Africa.
Although no replacement has been designated for Shami, KS Bharat and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been called up to the Test squad in lieu of Kishan and Gaikwad respectively. Additionally, alterations were made in the India ‘A’ squad for the game against South Africa ‘A’ beginning on December 26. Harshit Rana was sidelined due to injury, Kuldeep Yadav was released, and Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Avesh Khan, and Rinku Singh have been included in the squad.
