India vs New Zealand 2019: Virat Kohli Rested for two ODIs, T20I Series; Rohit Sharma to Lead

Jan 23, 2019 at 7:05 PM

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India vs New Zealand 2019: Virat Kohli Rested for two ODIs, T20I Series; Rohit Sharma to Lead

Following tiring efforts, the decision to rest Team India skipper Virat Kohli has finally come on January 23 (Wednesday). Kohli may not be available for the final two ODIs of the ongoing five-match series against New Zealand. According to the release of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the management of the team and selection committee has thought of giving a much-needed break to their star batter. Kohli will sit out for the entire Twenty20 International series including the last two ODIs against the Black Caps, Thus, his deputy Rohit Sharma has an opportunity to lead the Men in Blue.

Virat Kohli, India vs New Zealand 2019
Virat Kohli to start afresh following a break. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

However, the latest reports suggested no replacement for Kohli. The decision came following a gruelling schedule against Australia before landing on Kiwis shores. Considering it as the ‘workload’ over a couple of months, the release added it would allow Kohli to start afresh for the home series against Australia ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

“The team management and Senior selection committee [feels] it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia,” BCCI release said.

The opening batsman Rohit will don captain’s hat for Indian Team in Hamilton and Wellington One-dayers respectively.

So much so, the T20 series will kick off in Wellington on February 6. Auckland will host second game on February 8 before culminating in Hamilton on 10th of February.

Concurrently, India is leading the ODI series 1-0 following an eight-wicket win in Napier. Batting first, hosts led by Kane Williamson were strangulated at 157 in 38 overs.

India vs New Zealand, Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami shone in Napier ODI. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav sealed four wickets, as Mohammed Shami was adjudged Man of the Match for his three for 19 in six overs.

However, the match officials revised to 156 in 49 overs owing to a Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method. It came to the fore when sun outrage halted the game for around half-an-hour. In an opener, Kohli scored 45 before Lockie Ferguson bagged his prized wicket. But Shikhar Dhawan (75*) slammed his 26th ODI fifty to take home India in 34.5 overs alongside Ambati Rayudu (13*).

On January 26 (Saturday), India will take on New Zealand at the Bay Oval.

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