Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant likely to miss final T20I against West Indies
Virat Kohli (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
The Board For Control Of Cricket In India (BCCI) has given a break from bio-bubble to former India skipper Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant ahead of the third T20I against the West Indies. This means that the players will be unavailable for the final T20I. On February 18, it was reported that Kohli will skip the three-match series T20Is against Sri Lanka starting on February 24 as well. India have already won the series after beating the West Indies by nine wickets in the second T20I. This could the reason the board has decided to rest the players.
The BCCI has given Virat Kohli a break from the Bio-Bubble. He won't be part of the 3rd T20i as he heads back to home. (Reported by PTI).
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 19, 2022
The limited-overs home series against the Men In Maroon has been fruitful so far. In the preceding ODI series, the Rohit-Sharma-led side clean-swept West Indies in the three-match series for the first time. They would to like to continue the same in the shortest format. This win came on the backdrop of the disappointing tour of South Africa, where India lost the Test and ODI series.
Meanwhile, Kohli left behind the ODI series disappointment with a classy 52 off 41 balls with seven fours and one six. The right-hander had a second-worst three-match series with the bat as he could only muster 26 runs with one duck in the final game.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was pleased with India’s performance in the last game and lauded the team for their effort.
“Always a fear when you are playing against these guys. We knew it would be a little tough. We were very well prepared. Under pressure, we executed all our plans. It was very critical given the point of time. Experience plays a part. He (Bhuvi) was hitting those yorkers and that odd bouncer. We believe in his talent. It was very important innings from Virat. The way he started off, took the pressure of me as well. We didn’t start well in the first two overs, then he came in and started playing those shots which was very pleasing to the eye. Great finish from Pant and Iyer as well,” said Rohit Sharma.
“Very happy to see how he (Venkatesh Iyer) has progressed. To see such maturity is very pleasing. He backs his skills and that is what every captain wants. In the end, he wanted to bowl one over as well. We need such characters in our team. We were a bit sloppy on the field. A little disappointed with that. The game would have been different had we taken those catches,” he added.
