India Test captain Virat Kohli addressed the media today before touring South Africa for a three-match Test series, which will be followed by three ODIs. Amidst the confusion surrounding the present situation of Indian cricket, Virat cleared the air.
Virat Kohli contradicts Sourav Ganguly’s statement
After the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly conveyed in an interview that Virat was personally requested by him to not leave the T20I captaincy, the latter vehemently denied it. Presenting a different version on the matter, Virat said that his decision was taken very well and no one raised an objection to it.
“When I communicated with the BCCI first about quitting T20I captaincy, I told them that this is my point of view, these are the reasons for my decision, it was received quite well. No one took offence, no one had any hesitation. No one told me that I should not leave the T20I captaincy,” Virat was quoted as saying in the press conference.
“It was received well and looked at as a progressive step and one in the right direction. That time, I told the BCCI that I want to continue as ODI and Test captain unless the BCCI office-bearers or the selectors want me not to do. I clarified this as well in the phone call. My communication with the BCCI was very clear. I also gave them the option that if the BCCI office-bearers of the selectors want to take a decision, I am okay with it.
Sourav Ganguly claims he personally requested Virat to not leave T20I leadership
Interestingly, the board president had earlier given a statement, in which he mentioned about his request to Kohli of not giving away the leadership of the shortest-format of the game.
“It’s like I said… I personally requested him (Kohli) not to give up the T20I captaincy. 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. Because I have captained for a long period of time; therefore, I know. Also, they wanted only one white-ball captain. And that’s why this decision. I don’t know what’s going to happen in future. But as I said, it’s a good team and it has some fantastic players and I hope they will turn it around,” Ganguly said in an interview to News18.
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After Kohli resigned from the T20I captaincy, he was sacked as the ODI skipper of India. Rohit has been appointed as the new white-ball captain, while Virat will continue to lead the side in the Test matches.