Indian captain Virat Kohli has been rested for the last 2 ODIs of the New Zealand series. He will also not take part in the 3-T20I series that follows the ODIs. Rohit Sharma will take over the captaincy in Virat’s absence. No replacement has been announced for the 30-year-old.
Virat Kohli has been the most overworked cricketer of the team as he plays all 3 formats consistently. “Considering his workload in the last few months, the team management and Senior selection committee is of the view that it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia,” BCCI said in a media statement.
The selectors have made sure that the skipper gets rested every now and then. Last year, he was rested for the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka in March. Then, he missed India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in Bangalore in June. Rohit led India in his absence in the Asia Cup in the UAE in September. Also, the right-hander was given rest for the T20Is at home against West Indies in November. It’s important to keep him fresh for the upcoming ODI World Cup this year.
Other than Virat, Jasprit Bumrah is another player who plays consistently in all 3 formats. The board has given him adequate rests as well. The pacer wasn’t a part of the ODI series in Australia and was rested for the New Zealand tour as well. The duo will now feature in the limited overs series at home against Australia.
India’s updated squad for last 2 ODIs versus New Zealand
Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, K Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
India updated squad for the T20Is versus New Zealand
Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Shubman Gill, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, K Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, Vijay Shankar
Also Read: Here’s what Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri said after conquering Australia
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