From past couple of days, there have been speculations that India skipper Virat Kohli has asked the Indian selectors for rest after the second Test against Sri Lanka and for the succeeding ODI series.

However, Indian chief selector MSK Prasad has confirmed that Virat will be available for the complete Test series and he might be rested for the limited-overs series as rotation policy is for skipper as well.

Speaking to CricketNext after picking the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand and the first two Test against Sri Lanka, Prasad said, “There is no confusion and Kohli is available for all the three Test matches against Sri Lanka. We will look at resting him after that. He too deserves rest and the rotation policy will be applicable even for the skipper.”

Initial rumors of Kohli asking for a break was believed to be true as the squad was named for only the first two Test and then acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Chaudhary made it clear that Ajinkya Rahane had been named deputy for the series against the Lankans. Vice-captains are usually named only for an overseas series. But when asked, Amitabh refused to be hauled into reflecting.

Amitabh said, “The team has been picked for the first two matches as of now and the decision was made to name Rahane the deputy. I do not see the reason to speculate whether Rahane has been named deputy because Kohli has made himself unavailable for the third Test.”

From Prasad’s statements it seems clear that Kohli will not play the limited-overs series against the Lankans, hence it is certain that ODI deputy Rohit Sharma being handed the captaincy of the national squad for the first time.

But acting BCCI president CK Khanna said, “It is too early to say anything. The decision will be made by the selectors led by MSK Prasad and the acting secretary.”