India’s former skipper, Virat Kohli, and current vice-captain, KL Rahul have been rested from the final T20I against South Africa on Tuesday. The third match of the T20I series will be played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. According to reports in The Hindu, Virat Kohli flew back to Mumbai on Monday morning after the completion of the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday in Guwahati.
As per the quotes in PTI, an anonymous BCCI official said, “He has been rested from the final T20I”. As India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, the third T20I can be termed as a dead rubber, the BCCI decided to give their crucial cogs Kohli and Rahul some rest ahead of the marquee event in Australia.
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Virat Kohli has decided to spend a few days with his family in Mumbai before departing for Australia with the Indian contingent later this week. After the completion of the South Africa T20I series, the World cup bound Indian players will assemble in Mumbai where Virat will join them and they will depart for Australia on October 6 to feature in the marquee event.
Virat Kohli played a crucial role in India’s series-clinching win on Sunday as he stayed unbeaten at 49 off 28 balls & helped India to register a gleaming 16-run win over Proteas. With Virat Kohli & KL Rahul being rested for the third T20I, Rishabh Pant & Shreyas Iyer might get a go-to in the Playing XI.
However, to keep the team prepared for all uncertainties & injuries, the management might include Rishabh in the Playing XI for the third T20I so that he could get some game time in the middle ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022.
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On the other hand, considering Deepak Hooda’s injury, management will likely include Shreyas Iyer in the third T20I against South Africa. Heading into the third T20I India would also aim to improve their death bowling which is a major concern for them ahead of the marquee event in Australia.
