Virat Kohli seeks ‘absolute clarity’ about Test tour of South Africa

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

Captain Virat Kohli is confident India will find out this week whether this month’s Test series against South Africa will go ahead.

The series is scheduled to start on 17 December, but South Africa are currently experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases amid the Omicron variant.

This has put the tour in doubt, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket South Africa deliberate.

“Look, it is pretty natural for them to wonder and worry and talk about whether the tour will go ahead and what the protocols will be,” said Kohli.

“We are not playing in normal times anyway. So there is a lot of planning that is involved, a lot of preparation that is involved in terms of understanding exactly what is going to go on.

“There are players who are not part of the group right now who will be entering quarantine to join the team bubble to fly in a charter.”

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Kohli wants all to be realistic

India A are currently touring South Africa. Last month, the Netherlands aborted a three-match ODI series against the Proteas to return home.

“Those kinds of things you want to seek clarity as soon as possible. So we have spoken to all the senior members of the squad. Obviously, Rahul Dravid, the coach, has initiated a conversation within the group, which is very important,” added Kohli, who recently rejoined the squad ahead of the second Test against New Zealand.

“Our focus from the Test match will not shift regardless, but also you want to have clarity and you want to be in a situation where you know exactly what is going on.

“We have been talking to the board, and we are pretty confident that within a day or two or pretty soon we will have absolute clarity as to what is going on.

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“We have to be realistic as well. We cannot just ignore the things that potentially could put you in a confusing place.

“And no one wants to be there. I am sure everyone is working hard towards finding clarity and giving us the situation as it unfolds as soon as possible.

“We all are hopeful that that will happen soon. Our prime focus right now is the second Test, and the other things are simultaneously being taken care of.”