India vs New Zealand 2019: Virat Kohli to be Rested for the Last 2 ODIs and T20Is, Rohit Sharma to Lead
Published - 23 Jan 2019, 07:11 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:58 PM
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have decided to rest Indian National Cricket team skipper Virat Kohli for the final two ODIs of the five-match series and the subsequent T20Is to follow. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will step to take over the captaincy roles in place of Kohli.
The talismanic runscorer has played a lot of cricket in the last one year which has certainly taken a toll on his body. And with the next Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC World Cup in sight, the selectors will not take any risk with Virat Kohli. As a result, the selectors have decided to rest Virat Kohli to manage his workload.
“Considering his workload in the last few months, the team management and Senior selection committee is of the view that it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia,” BCCI said in a media statement.
However, the apex body will not name any replacement for Kohli as they have some quality batsmen in their ranks. Moreover, it will be a welcome opportunity for anybody who steps up to take the crucial no 3 spot. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the Hamilton and Wellington ODIs before the succeeding three-match T20I series that kicks in on February 6.
Meanwhile, on yesterday Virat Kohli bagged the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year awards following an extraordinary 2018. Meanwhile, he became the first player in history to win all three awards in a single year. In addition to, ICC also named him the skipper of the Test and the ODI team of the year.
India take a 1-0 lead
Indian National Cricket team got off to a dominant start in the five-match one-day international series as they beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the opening game at Napier.
Mohammed Shami started off on a great note knocking over both the openers in successive overs. Skipper Kane Williamson’s call of opting to bat faltered as Yuzvendra Chahal soon had two return catches to have the hosts down to 76 for 4. Kuldeep Yadav then joined the party and bagged wickets (four) for fun as the spin twins helped India bowl New Zealand out for 157.
Meanwhile, India were never really bothered in the run chase. The sun did bother the batsmen by coming right in the line of the batsman’s view, forcing play to stop for about half an hour. Shikhar Dhawan held one end tight and alongside Virat Kohli, as India chased the target with ease.
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