Former India limited-overs captain Virat Kohli has reportedly decided to skip the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Kohli cited personal reasons for the short break from the series which is scheduled to be played in January next year.

There were rumors of Kohli's rift with Rohit over the change in captaincy in the ODI format, but a BCCI official rubbished it and asked fans to not believe the social media chatter.

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"Virat Kohli has informed us that he'll not be available for the ODI series. He wants to spend time with his family - don't read into social media rumours too much, there is nothing between Virat and Rohit", a BCCI official had told News 9. 

As per reports, Kohli has already informed BCCI of his plans to spend time with his family as the ODI series will be at the same time as the birthday of his daughter.

Times Now also confirmed with their sources which said, "Virat Kohli has decided to opt-out from the ODI series against South Africa. He has requested not to be part of the ODI series for personal reasons. He was supposed to be a part of Test series in South Africa from the beginning."

Rohit is expected to be fit ahead of the ODI series against South Africa in three weeks. He will be missing the three-match Test series which begins on December 26 due to his hamstring. 

(With News 9 and Times Now Inputs)