Everything seemed alright before IPL 14’s second leg started. But during that very phase- Virat dropped two bombshells. First, he was quitting RCB captaincy. Second? T20 WC 2021 was going to be his last assignment as India’s T20I skipper.
However, things have escalated quickly for India’s greatest active batter. Despite his willingness to continue as the nation’s tests and ODI captain, he was been replaced as ODI leader. Replaced by Rohit Sharma just before India tours RSA for a three-match long ODI series.
Gavaskar connects Virat Kohli’s captaincy removal to his old statement
It has all been very sudden and as a result, his axing hasn’t been well recieved at all. Netizens have been heart-broken on the manner in which their darling batter has fell from grace. Plethora of former players have also jumped in with their thoughts on the matter: Sunil Gavaskar being the latest addition.
Sunny believes that the axing of VK- The Skipper owes itself to one of his old statements. Here’s what Gavaskar said during an interview with India Today: “I think I also saw the release(by kohli) because it was in public domain. I think you know the way it was put across, it might have upset the ones in power. If I remember correctly it said- I will continue to lead India in Test and ODIs.”
“Ones in power” refers BCCI and selectors. The release being talked about is the one issued by Virat Kohli on relinquishing his T20I captaincy. He had released his statement via a social media post. Part of it read, “I feel i need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead the Indian Team in Test and ODI cricket.”
Gavaskar feels that kohli could’ve worded it a bit better. “I think that line could have been changed to- I would be available to lead India in Test and ODIs,” said little master.
He then elaborated how the release may have looked ‘orderly’ to higher officials. Kohli’s presumptions about captaincy status may have brought his fall and developed some “anti-feeling” to him, thinks Gavaskar.
Here’s what Sunil Gavaskar’s exact words read: “The presumptions he would be the captain for Test and ODIs could have been one of the reasons why there was this little anti-feeling against him. I guess that one line might have actually been the cause where it(the idea of kohli’s captaincy axing) actually started.”
