Virat Kohli returns to Indian squad for South Africa Test series; BCCI sources reveal reason behind sudden trip

livemint.com:

India vs South Africa, 1st Test: In a major relief for Team India, star batter Virat Kohli has rejoined that Indian squad ahead of the first Test match against South Africa in Centurion. Earlier, it was reported that Virat Kohli had to leave South Africa due to some emergency, but the BCCI sources have revealed that Kohli was on a pre-planned London trip and is back in South Africa. “Virat Kohli wasn't going to play that game.

The team management was aware of his plan and schedule, and it isn't something that happened overnight or due to a family emergency. Look at the player in question, it's Virat Kohli. He is very well planned when it comes to these things and his London trip was communicated and planned well in advance," a BCCI official told news platform News18.

As per the official, Virat Kohli participated in the training sessions before leaving for London and is all set to play his first Test match against South Africa. “Kohli left India for South Africa on December 15. Had good 3-4 training sessions before he went to London on December 19.

For the next few days, he was in London and has now linked up with the Test squad and will in all likelihood train in Centurion tomorrow," the official added. Virat Kohli's return will provide India with much-needed confidence as they look to create history by clinching a Test series in South Africa. During the South Africa series, Team India saw multiple exits like pacer Deepak Chahar, who pulled out due to a family emergency, Mohammed Shami couldn't recover in time from his ankle injury and young batter Ishan Kishan reportedly requested some time off from cricket.