The Indian cricket fans are experiencing a rather disappointing phase, as the Indian cricket team looks more divided than ever. At the root of all such sentiments are allegations of problems between team India opener Rohit Sharma and Test format Captain Virat Kohli. In a shocking development, Sourav Ganguly and Virat gave contradicting statements refuting each other’s claims over white ball captaincy. However, certain reports have come out exposing the lies of Indian skipper Kohli to oust Rohit Sharma.
Reports revealing Virat’s lies:
A report published by well-known sports editor Gautam Bhattacharya on Sangbad Pratidin reveals Kohli’s lies over the captaincy. The report claims that there was a video conference between Kohli and Sourav Ganguly which was attended by Jay Shah, Chetan Sharma & Rohit Sharma. During the video conference, Virat had stated that he and Rohit have agreed to the decision that Rohit will be leading T20 Team while Virat will keep the ODI and Test captaincy.
Startled by Virat’s statement, Rohit called back the Chief Selector and told him that he did not have a word with him over ODI vice-captaincy.
https://twitter.com/Soumyadipta/status/1471419359755071488?s=20
A Twitter user Soumyadipta tweeted, “In the midst of what is apparently written in the article, there’s one thing that is clear: Rohit Sharma never wanted to relinquish his vice-captaincy. And a Vice Captain is elevated as captain in any natural selection process. I don’t think that the BCCI Selection Board is lying.”
https://twitter.com/Soumyadipta/status/1471523468776673281?s=20
Indian Cricket Team divided like never before:
Till Tuesday morning, several media reports claimed that as per sources, the Test skipper had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to opt-out of the South Africa ODI series and that it was up to the Board to accept or deny the request.
Read more: Team India 2021: Indian Cricket team seems more divided than ever
The reports hinted at fissures within the team, because the Indian cricket team’s selectors made a shocking announcement on December 8, 2021. While declaring the Indian team for their upcoming tour of South Africa, selectors officially announced the dethroning of Virat Kohli from the captaincy of the Indian limited-overs team. With the announcement, Kohli’s rule is now limited to only Test Cricket.
Read more: Naming and Shaming Sourav Ganguly – Fans of Virat Kohli hit a new low
Ganguly, later, claimed that “Though he had asked Kohli to not step down as T20I skipper, the 33-year-old didn’t agree to do so. Thus, the selectors and officials had to take this major call. He further added, “Obviously, he felt the workload. Which is fine, he has been a great cricketer, he has been very intense with his cricket. He has captained for a long period of time and these things happen.”
In a contradicting statement, Kohli said, “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.”
Read more: Kapil Dev and Gavaskar have come to Ganguly’s support against Kohli
Kohli also sought to end the debate about problems between him and Sharma. He said, “I can understand the reasons. BCCI has taken the reasons from a logical point of view. There is no problem between me and Rohit Sharma. I have been clarifying for the past two years and I am tired. None of my actions or decisions will be to take the team down.”
Now, with such reports circulating through the media, the rift within the team and BCCI is quite evident. A lot of damage has already been caused to the image of the national cricket team in 2021 and it is time to attempt its resurrection. Else, winning the South Africa ODI series will be next to impossible.