The India Test captain Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability for the upcoming ODI series in the South Africa tour, brushing aside some of the recent media reports that suggested Kohli had made himself unavailable for the 50-over format.
While addressing the media in a virtual press conference ahead of Team India’s departure to South Africa, Kohli slammed the rumours hovering around, stating that he was always available for the ODIs against the Proteas.
“I was, and I am available for selection all this time. You shouldn’t be asking me this question honestly; you should ask the people who are writing about the things based on their sources because, as far as I am concerned, I was always available,” said Kohli.
“I didn’t have any communication with BCCI to say that I want to rest. So there were a few things that came in the past where it was said I was attending some event or something that was also not true either. So all these people who were writing all these things on their sources are absolutely not credible to me. So as I said, I am available for selection in ODIs for South Africa, and I was always keen to play,” he added.
Kohli, who was recently replaced as India’s ODI captain by Rohit Sharma, also spoke about his alleged rift with the Mumbaikar, mentioning that there is no problem between him and Rohit.
“Mere aur Rohit k beech mein kuch nahi hai. Mai 2.5 saal se yahi bol raha hu. Mai thak chuka hu bol bol ke (There is no problem between me and Rohit Sharma. I have been clarifying for the past two years, and I am tired now),” Kohli added further.
