Virat Kohli’s Return to International Cricket PostponedVirat Kohli’s Return to International Cricket Postponed Virat Kohli, who was instrumental in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, is likely to be rested for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. This means his return to international cricket will be delayed. The Sri Lanka tour, scheduled from July 27 to August 7, includes three ODIs and three T20Is. Kohli had earlier announced his retirement from T20 internationals after the World Cup Final. According to reports, Kohli has requested a break due to his continuous play since the beginning of the 2024 Indian Premier League season. He is currently in London with his family after participating in the World Cup parade in Mumbai. Kohli’s Return Timeline Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, is expected to return to the Indian team in September for the start of the home Test season. BCCI sources have confirmed that Rohit will continue to lead India in the World Test Championship and the ICC Champions Trophy next year. The management believes Kohli should prioritize Test cricket until the end of the year. He may return to ODI action before the Champions Trophy tournament in 2025. Team India’s Test Season Team India will face Bangladesh in a two-Test series for the WTC, starting on September 19. They will then host New Zealand for a three-match Test series in October. In November, they will tour Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Captaincy Options for Sri Lanka Series In the absence of Kohli and Sharma during the Sri Lanka series, Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul may be named as captain. This provides an opportunity for other players to showcase their abilities before the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Virat Kohli, who played a pivotal role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, is likely to be rested for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. His return to international cricket is therefore likely to be postponed.
The Sri Lanka tour, which begins on July 27 and ends on August 7, will consist of three ODIs and three T20Is. Kohli had announced that they are withdrawing from T20 internationals after the recent World Cup Final in Barbados.
According to PTI reports, Kohli had asked for a long break as he has been playing non-stop since the start of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. After celebrating the World Cup parade in Mumbai, he left for London to meet his family.
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When will Virat Kohli come back to play for India?
One of Team India’s most experienced batsmen and senior players, Virat Kohli, who was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his 76 runs in the recent T20 World Cup Final, has been offered rest until the near future.
Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, is likely to return to the Indian team only in September for the start of the home Test season.
According to Indian Express, a BCCI source said, “Senior players can take some rest and prepare for the upcoming cricket season. Rohit, Virat and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September.”
Earlier, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that Rohit will continue to lead Team India in the ongoing edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ICC Champions Trophy next year.
The management also expects Kohli to focus solely on playing Test cricket until the end of this year, before returning to ODI action before the start of the Champions Trophy tournament in 2025.
“Both are automatic choices in ODI line-up and the three 50-over matches against England for the Champions Trophy are enough practice for them. In the next few months, both will prioritise Tests and India will play 10 of them between September and January,” a BCCI source told PTI
MORE: How many ODI matches will India play before the 2025 Champions Trophy?
Team India will face Bangladesh for a two-Test series at the WTC, starting from September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will be followed by another three-match home series against New Zealand in October. After the home Test series, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series in the much-awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy in November.
Despite BCCI keeping things open for him to play, it is understood that both the selectors and Kohli feel it is in the player’s best interest to manage his workload ahead of another hectic season. He had at least asked for rest to spend time with his family.
“The Champions Trophy is in mid-February and they don’t have to play three-match ODIs in Sri Lanka for a week. If they want, they are welcome, but I think they want rest,” the source told PTI
In the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the Sri Lanka series, it is expected that either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul will be picked as captain to lead the Indian team. This will also be a chance for the other players to prove themselves before the big ICC tournament in early 2025.
