Guwahati: India’s Test captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday reiterated that he has no differences with limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma and that he is tired of explaining the same thing again and again.
Speaking to the media in a pre-departure press conference ahead of the tour of South Africa, starting December 26, Kohli said things are fine between the two superstars of Indian cricket as he quashed rumours of a rift between them.
“Between Rohit and I, there is no problem at all. Honestly, over the last 2, 2 and half years, I have been clarifying this. I am tired of doing it. Again and again, the same question is being asked of me. I will tell you one thing with a guarantee that my actions and my communications will never bring down the team till the time I play cricket,” Virat Kohli said.
Notably, Rohit had spoken highly of Kohli’s contribution and his role in the side when he spoke to the BCCI after being announced as full-time limited-overs captain earlier this month. However, rumours of a rift resurfaced when reports claimed that Kohli won’t be available for the ODI series in South Africa, starting January 19.
However, Kohli reiterated that he was always available for the ODI series in South Africa.
“I am available for selection and was available for selection. You should not be asking these questions. You should be asking to people who are writing these and their sources. As far as I am concerned, I am always available for selection. In the past, it was written that I was attending some function but I was in Mumbai all the while.
“They are absolutely not credible. I am available for ODIs, and I was always keen to play. As I said, these questions would be asked to people who are writing lies.”
Virat Kohli was removed as ODI captain earlier this month when the 18-man squad for the Test series in South Africa. Kohli confirmed at the presser that he was told about the removal only minutes before the selectors had a talk with him for the team selection.
Notably, Kohli had stepped down as India’s T20I captain after the T20 World Cup but he had said then that he wanted to continue as ODI and Test captain.
“Whatever was said, I was contacted 1 and half hours before the meeting. There was no communication. The chief selector discussed the Test team. Before ending the call, I was told the five selectors told me I will not be ODI captain. I told them ‘it is fine’,” Kohli added.
