15 Dec, 13:53 (IST)

That's all we have from the press conference now. Thanks for staying with us.

15 Dec, 13:51 (IST)

Virat Kohli has said that he will render full support to Rohit Sharma. Futhermore he said that it is his responsibilty to push the team in right direction. "Rohit is a very able captain. Along with Rahul bhai, who is a very balanced coach, both will have my absolute support in whatever vision they have for the team," said Virat.

15 Dec, 13:42 (IST)

Virat Kohli opened up about the rift with Rohit Sharma and said that they have no problem with each other. He also understood the board's decision to remove him as the ODI skipper since he has not won any ICC trophy. 

15 Dec, 13:37 (IST)

Virat Kohli is motivated to win against South Africa. "South Africa was really the start of us believing that we can win overseas. We carried it forward in Engalnd and eventually won in Australia. South Africa is a different challenge. We have left ourselves to do a bit too much at times, with sessions going against us. We are very well placed in terms of experience and belief. we can do something special and get the results we want as a team."

15 Dec, 13:33 (IST)

Virat Kohli promises that Test captaincy will not take a hit and explained that he has done the best so far. "About captaincy, I have been honest and have done that up to my potential. About my batting, when you know you've been doing well, you know how to perform. Those things won't go away. It's about understanding your game and doing what you have been,"

15 Dec, 13:30 (IST)

While speaking about ODI captaincy, Kohli said, "Before the selection call, I was told I won’t be the captain and I said okay. After the meeting, we had a brief chat and that’s it. I was not communicated at all."

15 Dec, 13:28 (IST)

Rohit Sharma will be missing the Test series due to an injury and Virat Kohli feels that India will be missing his services. But Kohli also expects the youngsters to step up.

15 Dec, 13:23 (IST)

"I am available for selection for ODI series against South Africa. No communication with the BCCI about being rested. This question should be asked to the people who are writing about this, not me. These are lies. I have not asked BCCI to rest me," Kohli said in the presser.

Just before the Indian team leaves for South Africa, we have Virat Kohli's live press conference. This would have been treated as a normal presser, but given the fact that Kohli was axed brutally from the ODI captaincy, reports have suggested that there has been a rift between him and Sharma. The BCCI did not make any formal announcement about Kohli being axed as a skipper for the ODI series against South Africa. Kohli will be asked tough questions about the same and he is expected to maintain composure. Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma Alleged Rift: Anurag Thakur Says 'Nobody is Bigger Than Sports'. 

With the way things are going in the Indian cricket team, eyebrows have been raised by the fans and they are quite upset with Virat Kohli's captaincy being snatched. Post this, for the tour of South Africa, the news of Rohit Sharma missing on the Test series due to an injury and Virat Kohli reportedly opting out of the ODI series have only added fuel to the fire. Then Mohammad Azharuddin's tweet also fuelled more speculations where he questioned the timing of the incidents.

Sunil Gavaskar however said that the players should get the benefit of the doubt and one should refrain from raising questions unless they come out in open.