Why is Virat Kohli not playing today’s fifth T20I: The Indian captain has been left out of the Playing XI for the last match.
Advertisement
During the fifth T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, regular India captain Virat Kohli has not been included in their Playing XI. Vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who was rested for the fourth T20I in Wellington, will lead the side in Kohli’s absence.
The development was announced by Sharma during the toss. It is worth mentioning that India have won the toss and elected to bat first.
With the aforementioned being the only change for the visitors, it is surprising to see wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant not getting a match in the five-match series.
As far as the hosts are concerned, they will take the field for the second time without regular captain Kane Williamson who is yet to recover from his injury. New Zealand haven’t made any change to their XI from the fourth match.
Why is Virat Kohli not playing today’s fifth T20I between New Zealand and India?
While Sharma didn’t particularly provide any reason for Kohli missing the match, it is fair to assume that the same is a mere rotational move. Another intriguing update from the Indian dugout is regarding Sharma’s new batting position.
“We’ll bat first; I had to think a little bit. It looks like a good pitch and that’s what we want to challenge our team as well to defend totals. We thought of making a few changes, but the combination we played in the last game was very good and we want to continue with that and give them a longer run. It is not always that we get a chance to make it 5-0.
“The only thing we’ll be worrying about is not being complacent; by no means are New Zealand not a good team and they have been playing really well. We want to be on the money and the last few games were really good for us. Just the one change – I come in for Virat [Kohli] and Sanju [Samson] will open. I will bat at three,” Sharma was quoted as saying during the toss.
