Virat Kohli has not applied for an official leave, will play ODI against South Africa

New Delhi : Setting rumours aside over Virat Kohli opting out from the upcoming ODIs, a top BCCI official has confirmed that the Indian Test captain has not put any formal request of a break. Since Tuesday morning, there were reports that Virat Kohli may not be playing the upcoming ODI to give time for his daughter's first birthday.

The 33-year-old Kohli, who will be leading India in a three-Test series starting December 26 in Centurion, was recently sacked as Team India’s white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain.

“As of now, Kohli hasn’t sent any formal request to skip the ODIs to either BCCI president Sourav Ganguly or secretary Jay Shah. If something is decided at a later date or God forbid, he sustains an injury, then it’s a different matter,” a senior BCCI official privy to developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“As things stand today, he is playing the three ODIs on January 19, 21, 23,” he added.

The official also notified that the players' families will also be going with them in the same plane due to bio bubble restrictions.

“The skipper is travelling with his family. But yes, if he feels bubble fatigue after the Test series and wants to take a break, he would definitely inform the chairman of selectors and secretary (Shah), who is the convenor of the selection committee,” the source added.

If nothing changes then on January 11, Virat Kohli will be playing the 100th Test match of his career on his daughter's birthday.

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