Virat Kohli press conference highlights: Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli addressed the media ahead of Team India's upcoming South Africa tour, scheduled to begin from December 26. Kohli clarified that he will be available for the three-match ODI series and had never asked for a break, contrary to media reports. Kohli also said that he came to know of Rohit Sharma replacing him as ODI captain just one-and-a-half hours before the Test series squad for South Africa was announced. "I was contacted one-and-a-half hours before selection for Tests. The chief selector discussed the Test with me. Before the call ended I was told that the 5 selectors have decided that I won't be ODI captain anymore. There was no prior communication about this," Kohli said in the press conference.
The opening Test match will be played in Centurion at the SuperSport Park from December 26 to 30. Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium will be the host to the second Test between January 3 to 7 next year. The third and final Test will be played in Newlands in Cape Town between January 11 to 15. Other than the Tests, India will also engage in a three-match ODI series while the T20I series was rescheduled for later.
- 13:37 (IST)That's all folks from the Virat Kohli press conference ahead of the South Africa tour
- 13:35 (IST)Main Points from the Virat Kohli PresserHere's a brief look at the main quotes from the Virat Kohli presser:
- 13:30 (IST)Kohli stresses on the fact that there is "no problem between me and Rohit Sharma"
- 13:28 (IST)Kohli says "Rohit is a very able captain" and "tactically very sound"Kohli on Rohit Sharma and his leadership qualities:
- 13:26 (IST)Kohli says there "was no hesitancy" in BCCI when he decided to leave the T20I captaincyKohli on his communication with the BCCI:
- 13:24 (IST)Kohli says his decision to forfeit T20I captaincy was received as a "progressive" step
- 13:19 (IST)Kohli says he is eager to represent and led the team in SA
- 13:16 (IST)Kohli says "will miss Rohit's experience" in SA Tests
- 13:14 (IST)Kohli says "he is available for selection" for SA ODI'S
- 13:11 (IST)Kohli encourages match stimulation since no warm up games
- 13:09 (IST)Priyank Panchal was over the moon when he was announced as replacement for Rohit
- 12:58 (IST)Union minister had something to say about the "talk" revolving around Kohli-RohitAsked about talk surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said there is "no player bigger than the game"
- 12:56 (IST)Virat is expected to talk about Rohit Sharma's nature of injury and his stance on SA ODI'sBCCI had recently announced that newly-appointed Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma will miss the Test series against Proteas due to a hamstring injury
- 12:48 (IST)Hello and Welcome to Virat Kohli's press conference ahead of the South Africa Tour