Virat Kohli departs for India due to a family emergency

He will rejoin team before the first Test against South Africa

BCCI permits Kohli to skip practice match in Pretoria

Virat Kohli, the prominent Indian batsman, had to depart for India due to a family emergency. However, there are expectations that he will rejoin the team before the start of the first Test against South Africa. Kohli is anticipated to make himself available for the upcoming Test series despite the temporary absence.

Approximately three days ago, Kohli left for Mumbai after obtaining approval from both the team management and the BCCI to skip the ongoing three-day practice match with Indian players in Pretoria. He is expected to make a comeback before the first test match.

Kohli was granted a break during the white-ball series of the South Africa tour, which included a three-match T20I series followed by three ODIs against South Africa. The T20I series between India and South Africa ended in a 1-1 draw, with the first match being abandoned due to rain.

India clinched the three-match ODI series with a 2-1 victory, notably marked by Sanju Samson’s maiden century in the decisive match at Boland Park in Paarl on December 21. Arshdeep Singh stood out in the series, securing 10 wickets, including an impressive five-wicket haul.

After the ODI series wrapped up on December 21 and the three-day game concluded on December 22, the entire Indian squad will assemble in Johannesburg. They will then travel to Centurion for the upcoming Test.

Following the conclusion of the Boxing Day Test on December 30, the team will move to Cape Town, where the second and final Test is set to commence on January 3.