Reports: Virat Kohli rested from 3rd T20I vs South Africa

Team India sealed their first ever T20I series against South Africa at home on Sunday (October 2) with a 16-run win in the second game. With the third T20I set to be a dead-rubber, the hosts have rested their key player and former India skipper Virat Kohli. The Men in Blue will face the Proteas on October 4 in the final T20I in Indore and if reports are to be believed, Kohli hasn’t travelled with the side.

Not long ago, the 33-year-old’s place in the T20I side was questioned by many. Moreover, the calls for him to replace grew when he took a month long break from the game. However, since he returned for the Asia Cup, Virat Kohli has hit form and there are no more questions about his form.

He also managed to score his maiden T20I ton against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup and showed great form in the series against Australia and South Africa as well. Coming back to Kohli being rested for the third T20I vs South Africa, a BCCI official confirmed the news. “He (Kohli) has been rested from the final T20I,” the official said according to News18.

Moreover, the reports also state that Virat Kohli has already left for Mumbai on Monday (October 3) morning. He has chosen to be with his family just before leaving for Australia for the T20 World Cup.

For the unversed, team India is set to leave for Australia on October 6 for the mega event and Virat Kohli will link up with the squad in Mumbai. The team is scheduled to play a couple of warm-up games in Brisbane before the team plays their first game against arch-rivals Pakistan at the iconic MCG on October 23.