Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed disappointment over the timing of Virat Kohli’s announcement that he step down as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain at the end of this season. Kohli has been the full-time leader of the team since 2013 but is yet to win a title despite making it to the final of the 2016 season.
Speaking on the same lines, Sanjay Manjrekar stated all the captains should announce their wish to quit captaincy only after the completion of an ongoing series.
Captain Kohli will step out for his 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th #IPL game today. 🤩
And what better way than stepping out in the special blue jersey to pay tribute to our Frontline warriors. 💙@imVkohli#PlayBold #IPL2021 #WeAreChallengers #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/OodiUUPqCS
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 20, 2021
“When Sunil Gavaskar won the Mini World Cup in 1985-86, he had said on the last day of the tournament that ‘My teammates have given me a brilliant gift on the last day of my captaincy’, so it came as a surprise and the timing was great. He played the whole tournament and irrespective of the result, his decision was ready,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
“So, I believe that as a captain you should play the whole series, whether you win or lose, and then make the decision… Even MS Dhoni left the captaincy during Australia and Virat Kohli took over soon after. For captaincy, I don’t think this is the right way to do it,” he added.
So far, the side has won 62 of the 132 matches under Virat Kohli to go with 66 losses and 4 no-results. The best season finish under him so far has been a runners-up spot in 2016, a final that RCB lost to SunRisers Hyderabad by 8 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium
Virat Kohli to step down as RCB captain after IPL 2021
Kohli will step down as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore after IPL 2021. Earlier this week, Kohli had announced that he will relinquish his India T20 captaincy after the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.
“It has been a great and an inspiring journey, captaining a talented bunch of players in the RCB squad,” Kohli said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the RCB management, coaches, support staff, players, and the entire RCB family, who have been instrumental in the growth of the franchise over the years.
Virat Kohli to step down from RCB captaincy after #IPL2021
“This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me.”: Virat Kohli#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/QSIdCT8QQM
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2021
It wasn’t an easy decision but one that has been well thought of and in the best interest of this wonderful franchise. The RCB family remains close to my heart as we continue to strive to achieve excellence. As I have mentioned previously in many occasions, I will only play for RCB until my retirement from the game of cricket,” Kohli said in a video statement.
