Picture Credit: BCCI
Even as fans and experts were beginning to make peace with the fact that Rohit Sharma will not be available for the Test matches against South Africa, the news came in that Virat Kohli will miss the ODI leg of the same tour. This means that for now, the two Indian captains will have to wait before they play under each other's captaincy.
While the Hitman has been playing under Virat for the past so many years, eyes were on how Kohli adapts to the new role in which his primary responsibility would be to just score runs for his team and help win Team India matches. But the news that Kohli will not be playing due to personal reasons came in and added to the drama and speculations around the captaincy change in Indian cricket.
Whatever be the reason, the development is bound to lead to rumours about strained personal relationships between two superstars of the game and definitely the most renowned poster boys of Indian cricket from the present team.
However, it should be made clear that it is a mere coincidence that Rohit got injured ahead of the Tests and Virat had apparently informed the BCCI well in advance that he will be taking a break in January. This is because the star India batter and Test captain will be on a holiday with his family to celebrate the first birthday of his daughter Vamika which coincides with the ODIs.
Virat led from the front every time we stepped onto the park: Rohit
Earlier Rohit had spoken about the legacy Kohli is leaving behind as the leader in his first-ever interview after taking over as ODI captain. The full interview is available on BCCI's official website.
"He's (Virat) put the team in a situation where there is no looking back. Those five years he has led the team, he led from the front every time we stepped onto the park. There was clear grit and determination to win every game. That was the message to the entire squad," the 34-year-old said.
"We had a great time playing under him. I have played a lot of cricket with him, I have enjoyed each and every moment and I'll still continue to do that. We need to keep getting better as a team and as individuals and that will be the focus not just for me but for the entire squad moving forward," he added.