NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket board’s removal of Virat Kohli as the One-day International (ODI) captain was inevitable when he refused to step down after a dismal T20 World Cup, country’s media reported.
The star batsman had relinquished his leadership of a T20 side who were eliminated in the group stage of T20 World Cup. However, Kohli sought to hold on to the ODI captaincy — a plan that came to an unceremonious end when BCCI said on Wednesday that Rohit Sharma would captain the one-day team on its South Africa tour.
“Virat Kohli refuses to step down, BCCI cracks whip,” the Press Trust of India said in a headline. The BCCI had waited for the 33-year-old to leave voluntarily as ODI captain, but when he failed to, losing the position was “simply fait accompli”, it added.
Kohli was not informed about his “sacking” beforehand, the Indian Express said. India’s dismal performance in T20 World Cup raised questions about their preparation and leadership.
A terse line at the end of a BCCI statement announcing the Test squad for the upcoming tour confirmed that Sharma, 34, will now lead India in both white-ball formats.
“However great a player Virat Kohli is […] it is inevitable he will feel a sense of loss,” tweeted cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle. “It is always tricky with two captains when both are playing all formats and it is critical Dravid, Kohli and Rohit are comfortable and have a common vision,” he added.
However great a player Virat Kohli is, this is the time to reach out to him. It is inevitable he will feel a sense of loss. It is always tricky with two captains when both are playing all formats and it is critical Dravid, Kohli and Rohit are comfortable and have a common vision
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 8, 2021
Sports writer Ayaz Memon said that Sharma “thoroughly deserved” his promotion. He will also be Kohli’s deputy in Tests. But Memon warned that coach Rahul Dravid would need to be “buffer, bridge and big brother” between Kohli and Sharma because “dressing-room dynamics change” during a transition.
#RohitSharma’s stock continues to rise. Captain now in both white ball formats, vice captain in Test cricket, all three thoroughly deserved. Plaudits must also be given to #ViratKohli who, despite some disappointments, did wonderfully as captain in T20is and ODIs
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 8, 2021
Kohli has the best winning percentage for an Indian ODI skipper but has faced criticism over the team’s inability to win major tournaments. He has also come under scrutiny as his form has dipped over the last two years.
