Captain Virat Kohli was among six Indians named in the Asia XI side for their T20I series against a World XI team in Dhaka next month. Kohli’s name was announced alongside those of KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami by the BCB president Nazmul Hassan for the two-match series. However, as per the latest reports, a top BCCI source stated that the India captain has not yet given his consent for the series. Kohli’s strenuous workload will certainly be factored in when BCCI decides its final list of players to feature in the Asia XI for the two-match T20I series, scheduled to be played on March 21 and 22.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has recently stated that Kohli will feature in at least one match. The Indian team will return from a gruelling six-week tour of New Zealand on March 6 and are set to assemble in Dharamsala on March 10.
The first ODI against South Africa will be played on March 12 followed up by the second ODI which in Lucknow on March 15. The third and final game of the series is scheduled to be held in Kolkata on March 18.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent a wish list of 10 names and we are supposed to send five players. As of now, we have not confirmed any names. All the players including the skipper will undergo tests to check their level of workload. Only then we will give the names,” a senior BCCI source was quoted by PTI.
The matches are being planned by the BCB to celebrate the birth centenary of country’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Kohli recently spoke about the burnout issues and how matches along with practice and travel schedule takes a toll on international players.
When India head coach Ravi Shastri was asked the question about the possible effect on Kohli’s workload if he has to travel to Dhaka for a T20 game after playing three ODIs in six days, he said it’s an individual call.
The BCCI has always maintained that if any top player who is regularly playing wants a break, he will certainly be given time to physically recuperate.
“It will now depend whether Kohli gives his consent or not. Don’t forget that the IPL will involve extensive travelling and once it’s over, there are a number of overseas T20 series lined up,” another senior official privy to the development said.
