NEW DELHI: Indian cricket stalwart
Virat Kohli
has rejoined the red-ball squad in
South Africa
ahead of the
Boxing Day Test
at Centurion against the Proteas, according to reliable sources.
Kohli's return comes after a brief hiatus due to personal reasons, and he is now in contention to make his on-field appearance on December 26, marking a comeback after the World Cup final heartbreak last month.
The upcoming two-match Test series holds significance as part of the
World Test Championship
2023-25 cycle, with India currently leading the WTC table with a win and a draw, resulting in a formidable 66.67 points percentage.
Kohli's presence is anticipated to be crucial for India, given his stellar performance as the leading run-scorer during the last WTC cycle, accumulating 932 runs from 30 innings.
He has already made an impactful start to the 2023-2025 cycle with a century and a fifty against the West Indies.
In the current year, Virat has showcased his red-ball prowess in seven Tests, amassing 557 runs at an impressive average of 55.70, including two centuries and a fifty.
His standout performance at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup on home soil, where he scored 765 runs, including three centuries and six fifties, earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.
Known for his excellence against the red ball, especially in South Africa, Virat Kohli boasts an exceptional record with 719 runs in seven Tests against the Proteas. His average of 51.35 in the country is surpassed only in Australia and at home in India.
The 35-year-old right-hander has scored two of his 29 Test centuries against South Africa away from home.
In India's previous tour to South Africa, they faced a 1-2 series defeat during the last WTC cycle.
(With inputs from ANI)
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