MSK Prasad confirms Virat Kohli’s availability for Sri Lanka Test series

Yesterday's news was flooded with rumours of Virat Kohli asking the selectors for rest after the second Test against Sri Lanka and for the succeeding limited-overs series. And the skipper’s recent take on the hectic schedule of the Indian team followed by the selectors’ decision to name squad only for the first two Tests, made the rumours all the more believable.

However, India chief selector MSK Prasad has now cleared the air by stating that the skipper will be available for all the three Tests. Speaking to CricNext, Prasad said, “There is no confusion and Kohli is available for all the three Test matches against Sri Lanka.”

Further fuel was added to the fire after BCCI secretary Amitabh Chaudhary made it clear that Ajinkya Rahane had been named deputy for the series against the Lankans, which normally happens when a side is travelling overseas. Attending to the doubt, Prasad said, “The team has been picked for the first two matches as of now and the decision was made to name Rahane the deputy. I do not see the reason to speculate whether Rahane has been named deputy because Kohli has made himself unavailable for the third Test.”

Kohli had emphasized on the hectic schedule of the Indian team and called for future discussions over it before the first ODI against New Zealand. And MSK Prasad also made it clear that Kohli is set to go for a break before the South Africa tour early next year, which could mean ODI deputy Rohit Sharma captaining the national team for the first time in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

“We will look at resting him after that (Sri Lanka Test series). He too deserves rest and the rotation policy will be applicable even for the skipper,” said Prasad. 

Indian selectors are blessed with a plethora of immensely potential talents at their disposal and could afford a rotation without any major risk in dropping of form. Acting BCCI president CK Khanna, however, chose to keep everyone in the dark by stating that the decision will be made by the selectors at the right time.