Star India batsman Virat Kohli on Wednesday revealed he was informed of his removal from India ODI captaincy just 90 minutes before the official announcement.
Kohli had quit as T20 captain after the recent World Cup in the UAE, but has expressed his desire to continue as Test and ODI leader.
However, last week he lost the ODI top job too, with the Indian cricket board making the announcement in one line at the bottom of a press release about the Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, stating Rohit Sharma will lead both white-ball sides.
“I was contacted one and a half hours before the selection meeting on the [December] 8th for the Test series and there was no prior communication to me at all,” Kohli said on Wednesday before the team's departure for South Africa, where they will play three Tests and three ODIs.
“Before ending the call I was told that the five selectors had decided that I would not be the ODI captain, to which I replied, 'OK fine'," the 33-year-old said.
“When I decided to leave the T20 captaincy and approached the BCCI about my decision, it was received well,” Kohli added. “There was no offence or hesitation, I wasn't told to reconsider it. It was received well; I was told it's progressive and in the right direction.”
His statement contradicts that of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who said that he had requested Kohli to reconsider his decision to step down as T20 captain.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli confirmed his availability for the one-day leg of the team's South Africa tour and denied reports of a rift with Sharma.
“I was always available,” Kohli said. “You should not be asking me this question, honestly … I am available for selection for the ODIs in South Africa and I'm always keen to play.
“Nothing can derail me from being motivated to play for India,” he said. “I am very focused and mentally prepared and very excited to go to South Africa and do the best that I can for my team.
“Rohit is a very able captain and very, very tactically sound. We have seen that in the games that he captained for India and in the IPL as well. There is no problem between me and Rohit. I have been clarifying for the last two and a half years or so. I'm really tired.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
ELIO
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