New Zealand vs India: Virat Kohli rested for last 2 ODIs, T20s; Rohit Sharma to lead
Napier: Virat Kohli has been rested for the last two ODIs and the following T20I series against New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday.
Rohit Sharma will lead the side in his absence. The news comes after a gruelling Australia tour and with Indian Premier League (IPL) and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 lined up later this year, the selectors have decided to manage his workload.
"India captain Virat Kohli will be rested for the fourth and fifth ODI against New Zealand and the subsequent T20I series. Considering his workload in the last few months, the team management and Senior selection committee is of the view that it would be ideal for him to get adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia. There will be no replacement for Mr. Kohli in the squad for the New Zealand series. Rohit Sharma will captain the side in the final two ODIs and T20I series," the BCCI said in a statement.
THIS JUST IN:@imVkohli has been rested for the last two ODIs and the following T20I series against New Zealand.
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) January 23, 2019
The man has done a lot and it's a well deserved break for him!#PlayBold #NZvIND
India produced cricket of the calibre that has become synonymous with Virat Kohli's men to crush New Zealand in the first ODI but a bizarre and unprecedented sun-induced interruption overshadowed the on-field action.
Entering the five-match rubber following maiden Test and ODI series triumphs in Australia, India signalled their intent with a clinical display, which saw them chase down a revised target of 156 by eights wickets in 34.5 overs.
The Duckworth-Lewis method came into the picture for an interruption which was not caused by rain for the first time.
On a near-perfect day, the only thing that didn't go their way was the toss. But India made light of that by bowling out the home team for a paltry 157 in 38 overs.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 4/39 in 10 overs, while seamer Mohammed Shami finished with an excellent 3/19 in six overs. There were also two wickets for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Captain Kane Williamson top-scored for the hosts with 64 off 81 balls.
