Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has claimed that the Indian cricket team is divided into two groups, with one belonging to Kohli and the other to Rahul. The comments came after India’s humiliating series defeat to South Africa in the three-match ODI series with one match to spare.
This is India’s first ODI series after sacking Virat Kohli as the captain. And the team’s performance has fallen flat right from the onset. With two defeats on the trot, speculations have emerged of a possible rift between Kohli and stand-in captain KL Rahul.
Speaking on the same, Kaneria stated that the environment in the dressing room is not the same as it was under Virat Kohli. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria said:
“We saw that the Indian dressing room was divided into two groups. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were sitting apart. Also, Kohli wasn’t in the same mood as he used to be when he was the captain. But he’s a team man and will come back stronger.”
After leaving the role in T20Is himself, Virat Kohli was removed as India’s ODI skipper. He then went on to quit captaincy in Tests on his own too. There still isn’t absolute clarity over what happened behind the curtains that led to Virat Kohli taking such big calls.
But, the focus remains to overcome the tumultuous phase on the field, with KL Rahul being put in charge of the Indian team in Rohit Sharma’s absence for the ODIs against South Africa.
India look to salvage pride in 3rd ODI
With the ODI series done and dusted, the Men in Blues will look to salvage some pride by winning the final match of the series. The 3rd ODI is scheduled to take place in Centurion on January 23 (Sunday).
The management is likely to make some changes in the playing XI with the middle-order batters failing to back up the good start given by the top-order. The bowlers also have struggled to pick wickets in the middle overs which is one area they will look to rectify.
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