While the debate over the split captaincy is going around as Virat Kohli is likely to step down as skipper of the limited-overs format after the ICC T20 World Cup, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal on Monday has rubbished all the reports as well.
Arun Dhumal rubbished all such claims during a conversation with IANS. He said, “This is all rubbish. Nothing (as) such is happening. This is all what you guys (media) are talking about. BCCI has not met or discussed anything on this issue (split captaincy),” Dhumal told IANS. “Virat will remain as the captain (of all formats).”
The reports earlier suggested one of the reasons could be Virat Kohli’s poor form with the bat, having been the pressure he has as captain of the team as well. And, Kohli has realized that by himself and is open to quitting the captaincy role to focus more on his batting as well.
The Times of India quoted sources as saying, “Virat himself will make the announcement. He is of the view that he needs to concentrate on his batting and go back to becoming what he’s always been — the best batsman in the world.”
Virat Kohli to step down as white-ball captain: Reports
He also realized that the team needs him during two World Cups in the upcoming years of 2022 and 2023 and he is prioritizing that rather than the captaincy.
“Virat is also the first to realise that his overall responsibilities as captain across formats are taking a toll on his batting. He needs that space and freshness because he has a lot more to offer. If Rohit takes over as white-ball captain, Virat can continue leading India’s red-ball aspirations and work on his T20 and One-day batting. He’s just 32 and given his fitness, he will easily play top cricket for another five to six years at least,” the source added.
Virat Kohli took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2017. Since then, he has been leading the team quite successfully but failed to win an ICC trophy as well. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has also a stunning captaincy record in the limited-overs format. India won the 2018 Asia Cup under his leadership as well.
While the sources had also said that the BCCI top brass has been discussing this since India’s loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in England, Arun Dhumal said, “no such meeting took place.”
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