Recently, we came across the reports citing that the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the vice-captain Rohit Sharma were involved in a war of words, which took the headlines in Indian sports. However, the Indian skipper finally opens up on the reports and cited that they are ”Baffling” and ”Ridiculous” to read.
Contrary to earlier reports, captain Virat Kohli attended the team press conference before India travels to the United States and West Indies for a full-fledged tour.
Team India is scheduled to leave the country on Monday to travel to the Caribbean and the Indian captain took questions from the media at a Mumbai hotel on Monday before the departure.
Baffles you as a leader – Virat Kohli
In one of those, when asked about the rift between him and Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper quoted that there is no such thing in the dressing room, as everyone in the team is in a good state of mind.
“In my opinion, it’s baffling. It’s absolutely ridiculous to read such stuff,” he told reporters in a press conference in Mumbai ahead of India’s departure to West Indies. “I’ve been to few public events. Everyone comes up and says we have respect for you. And here we are feeding off lies and overlooking facts. We are turning a blind eye to all the good things that have happened and creating fantasies and scenarios in our heads, and want to accept that this is the truth.
“I’ve seen this for too long now, bringing personal lives into the picture. It’s disrespectful beyond a point, honestly. I’ve played the game for 11 years, Rohit has played for 10 years. It’s bizarre that people are creating this stuff on the outside. You guys come to the change room and see, we can’t make videos and show you guys.
“It baffles you as a leader, coach and a team when lies are being floated around. They are made to look like they are believable. It’s disrespectful.”
I have always praised Rohit Sharma:
Further, Virat Kohli added that he never put something in his heart and speak out in a different way. And also, he questioned the reporters regarding his shower of high praises to Rohit Sharma whenever he does well for the Indian National Cricket Team.
“I’m the kind of person who, if I don’t like a person or insecure about him, you’ll see it on my face or in my behaviour towards that person. That’s how simple it is,” he said. “I have always praised Rohit at every opportunity because I believe he is that good. We have had no issues. As I said it’s baffling. I don’t know who is benefitting with all these stories.
”We are living, breathing, living and working towards taking Indian cricket to the top. And then people want to get some kind of pleasure in bringing it down. I don’t understand how that works. You work hard for four years to bring a team from seven to one, and after four years what are we talking about.”
“Within the team, it’s there for everyone to see – the friendship and camaraderie. It’s baffling and ridiculous to read such stuff. It’s time we focus on taking Indian cricket forward and not on things that are not even there.”
Team India is scheduled to take off for the United States on July 29 (Monday). Two out of three T20Is have been scheduled in Florida while the remaining limited-overs matches will be played in West Indies. The series will start from August 3 onwards.