Virat Kohli has rejoined the Indian cricket team in South Africa and will be ready in time for the first Test match starting on December 26 at Centurion. According to a News18 report, Kohli was in London during the leave and the plans were communicated to the team management in advance. The report quoted a senior BCCI official as saying that Kohli made a trip to London ahead of the first Test match against South Africa and this was the reason why he did not participate in the practice matches between the teams.
“Virat Kohli wouldn't play that game. Team leadership was aware of his plan and schedule, and it is not something that happened overnight or as a result of a family emergency. Look at the player in question, it's Virat Kohli. He is very well planned when it comes to these things and his trip to London was communicated and planned well in advance,” a senior BCCI official was quoted by News18.
The official also revealed that Kohli had several training sessions with the team before leaving for London on December 19 and will return to training after joining the team at Centurion.
“Kohli left India for South Africa on December 15. Had good 3-4 practices before going to London on December 19th. He was in London for the next few days and has now joined the Test squad and will be in total probability training at Centurion tomorrow,” the official added.
Meanwhile, South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad is confident that India will not be able to break the 'Final Frontier' in their Test history even if his frontline pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi hit the nets ahead of the 'Boxing Day'- test.
Rabada was rested from the white ball as he nursed a heel issue, while Ngidi was out after picking up a left ankle injury ahead of the T20Is.
On Saturday afternoon, Rabada and Nigidi were bowling in full swing at the central training wicket at Supersport Park and opposite them was Dean Elgar, the man playing his final series.
The Centurion circuit is every racer's dream, although India managed to beat South Africa last time. But the head coach would want his deadly weapons firing on all cylinders.
“They will be fresh and firing (Rabada and Ngidi). I'm always a big believer in freshness,” Conrad said before that day's team training.
Both come into the match without any match time, but the coach is not too bothered by this.
“It would have been ideal if they had gotten some mileage into their legs by playing first-class games, but that's life. You have to find a way. But I don't mind them being undercooked for the game.
“KG (Rabada) and Lungi are still in the fifteen-man squad and are available for selection. We will make that decision tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow morning we will have a full squad of fifteen to choose from,” the coach said.
(With PTI inputs)
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