Sunil Gavaskar Defends BCCI Over Virat Kohli Captaincy Row

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has defended the BCCI and the selection committee over Virat Kohli captaincy row. Addressing the press conference before departing for South Africa, Kohli said that that he was informed only one and a half hours before sacking from ODI captaincy. He further said that no one asked him to continue as India’s T20I captain, a claim which was made by the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. 

Speaking to Sports Tak, Sunil Gavaskar said that the selection committee made the courtesy of telling Virat Kohli about their decision of releasing him from ODI captaincy before it was announced in the media, which should be enough. The former captain went ahead to ask what more Kohli wanted if he knew about the decision beforehand. 

“He was told before the public announcement, right? It’s not like he found out through the media announcement… The chairman of the Selection Committee told him before the announcement so he (Chetan Sharma) gave him (Kohli) that courtesy. It’s not like Kohli found out through the media that he’s been removed from the captaincy. So he did know. What more do you want?”

The former Indian skipper further questioned as to what was the actual controversy if the selection committee had informed Virat Kohli about letting him off from ODI captaincy in the team selection meeting. He said that it was the final decision of the committee and that it is enough to validate the thought behind asking Kohli to step down as ODI captain. 

Don’t Understand What’s The Controversy In This: Sunil Gavaskar

“I don’t understand what’s the controversy in this. If he was informed by the chairman of the Selection Committee 1.5 hours before the announcement – when they were selecting the Test team they would have surely consulted Kohli. Perhaps he would have also been present in the Zoom meeting. And I know that even today the Indian captain doesn’t get a vote in [the Selection Committee]. He can be present there and give his opinion but the final decision is of the 5 Selection Committee members” said Gavaskar. 

“When the selection for the Test team for South Africa would have concluded, after that – this means after the main agenda of the meeting – he must have been informed that he won’t be the ODI captain. If he has been informed about this then I don’t understand what’s the controversy in all this” he concluded saying. 

All buckled up ✌🏻

South Africa bound ✈️🇿🇦#TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/fCzyLzIW0s

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 16, 2021

Meanwhile, the Indian team departed for South Africa tour earlier today. They will be playing three Testa and three ODIs against the Proteas with the first Test starting from December 26.