Skipper for the Indian test team and former skipper for limited over formats, Virat Kohli has slammed reports that suggested he is unavailable to play for team India against South Africa for the ODIs.

Kohli was recently replaced as a captain by Rohit Sharma for the limited-over internationals after he resigned from captaincy for t20is. 

He said he was not contacted by the board prior except before being replaced as ODI captain. 

"I was and am available for selection (for the ODIs)," he said. "I was contacted by selectors 1.5 hours before the meeting, we discussed the Test selection, then chief selectors told me I won't be the ODI captain and I was fine with it. There was no prior communication." 

Kohli made the statement speaking to the journalists in Mumbai ahead of the India team's departure for South Africa for three match test series against the hosts. 

The test series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.

The two teams will play the first test in Centurion on Boxing day (December 26). The test series will conclude on January 15 and the ODI series will be played from January 19 to 23.