'Virat has spoken to selectors. He would be available from...': BCCI gives a major update on Kohli's comeback to Team India

There were reports in the media circles that former Indian skipper Virat Kohli would make a comeback to the Indian team for the next month's short three-match tour of Zimbabwe after he decided to skip the ongoing white-ball series against West Indies. But that didn't happen as his name wasn't there in the 15-member squad that BCCI announced on Saturday for the upcoming assignment.

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Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan will continue to lead India in ODIs in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma. The veteran opening batter donned the role recently in three ODIs against West Indies and helped India whitewash West Indies at their home.

Since Virat is not included in the team for the Zimbabwe series, there still remains a mystery over his comeback to the side. However, according to a recent report by news agency PTI, they quoted by a BCCI source, the former Indian captain will make his return with the Asia Cup 2022.

The 33-year-old has had a word with selectors about it and informed them about his availability.

"Virat had spoken to selectors that he would be available from the Asia Cup onwards. The first team players will hardly get a rest from the Asia Cup till the end of the World T20. Hence, this is a two-week window after the Windies tour when they can rest."

the source said

KL Rahul informed about his unavailability for the Zimbabwe ODIs

The other big name that was missing from the list was KL Rahul. The right-handed batter was included in the Indian team for the T20I series against the West Indies. However, he missed out at the last moment due to a positive COVID test. It was then expected that he would be on the team for the Zimbabwe tour. However, he was not considered for the tour as well.

The Bengaluru-based cricketer issued a clarification about the exclusion via his social media account by sharing a picture in which he wrote,

"I wanted to clarify a couple of things about my health and fitness. My surgery in June was successful and I had begun my training with the hope of returning to national duty for the tour of the West Indies. Unfortunately, as I was returning to full fitness, I tested positive for Covid 19," he tweeted. He expressed hope of coming back for the Asia Cup in UAE.

Read Also: WI vs IND: KL Rahul set to miss the full T20I series

"This naturally pushes things back by a couple of weeks but I aim to recover as quickly as possible and be available for selection as quickly as I can," he further wrote.

"To represent the country is the highest honor and I cannot wait to get out there back in blue. See you soon. KLR."