Virat Kohli has opened up for the first time after losing the ODI captaincy of the Indian men's cricket team and confirmed his availability for the ODI leg of the South Africa tour.

The 33-year-old, who lost 50-overs captaincy to Rohit Sharma, said he had been notified about the change in captaincy before the selection committee meeting, and slammed reports that suggested he wouldn't be available for selection for the ODI series.

"I am available for selection for ODIs," Kohli told reporters in a press conference ahead of the South Africa tour.

"Few things that came out in the past that I was attending events, things like those are not credible," he added.

Kohli revealed that there had been no prior communication and he was told in the meeting that he won't lead the side in ODI cricket anymore.

"I was contacted one and a half hour before selection for Tests. The chief selector discussed with me the Test. Before the call ended I was told that the 5 selectors have decided that I won't be ODI captain anymore. There was no prior communication about this."

"I was and I am available for selection. I haven't had any communication with BCCI where I have asked for any break. I am available for selection for ODIs in South Africa. People are writing lies. I have never asked for rest."

Meanwhile, Kohli said that Rohit is a very able captain and tactically very sound.

"My responsibility is to push the team in the right direction. Rohit is a very able captain and tactically very sound. Along with Rahul bhai, who is a great man manager. They will get my 100 percent support in ODIs and T20Is," he added.

It must be noted that Kohli stepped down from the captaincy in T20I format after the World Cup. BCCI removed him from the ODI captaincy before the South Africa tour. He will lead the side in Test cricket while Rohit will captain the side in the limited-overs format.