Arun Dhumal, BCCI treasurer on Monday rubbished reports suggesting that Team India captain Virat Kohli is likely to step down as skipper of the limited-overs format after the conclusion of the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
There are reports doing the rounds that Virat Kohli might lose his white-ball captaincy and Rohit Sharma could be asked to lead the limited-overs side if the team fails to win the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the UAE and Oman in October-November this year.
Arun Dhumal Terms Reports In Media About Virat Kohli’s Stepping Down As Rubbish
However, Arun Dhumal rubbished such claims. Virat Kohli (32), who currently leads the team across all formats and is India’s most successful captain ever, is learned to have taken the call to share leadership responsibilities with Rohit Sharma (34), according to the BCCI sources.
“This is all rubbish. Nothing (as) such is happening. This is all that you guys (media) are talking about. BCCI has not met or discussed anything on this issue (split captaincy),” Arun Dhumal told IANS. “Virat will remain as the captain (of all formats).”
Earlier, it was reported that Virat Kohli has been very successful in Test cricket, but the onus of leading the side in limited-overs cricket could fall on Rohit Sharma because of the former’s failure to guide the side to victory in ICC events despite having some of the best bowlers and batters in the game.
Earlier, it was said that the reason for Virat Kohli purportedly stepping down as captain is very simple. Virat Kohli feels that his batting across formats needs more time and greater impetus as India is looking to play two World Cups in 2022 and 2023.
Arun Dhumal Rubbishes Claims That BCCI Top Brass Are Unhappy In WTC Final Loss
Sources had said the BCCI top brass has been discussing the issue since India’s loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in England, where they were reportedly unhappy with the Indian skipper’s team selection. Virat Kohli had played two spinners in seamer-friendly and overcast conditions during the WTC final.
But Arun Dhumal said, “no such meeting took place.” “Virat will remain as the captain (of all formats),” he added.
For a while now there have been reports suggesting that BCCI could explore the option of split captaincy between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the T20 World Cup 2021. However, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal confirmed that Virat Kohli will remain the captain for all formats.
One of India’s most successful captains, Virat Kohli led India in 95 ODIs, and with 65 wins and 27 defeats. In 45 T20Is so far where he has been the captain, India has won 27 times while losing 14 times. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, 34, has led India 10 times in ODIs and led them to victories on eight occasions. In T20Is, he has captained them 19 times of which they have won 15 and lost four.
Rohit Sharma is in the form of his life across formats and enjoys the status of a senior member of the squad. His T20 captaincy records are second to none, having won five IPL titles for the Mumbai Indians apart from Asia Cup and Nidhas Trophy 2018 wins in Virat Kohli’s absence. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and India team management have had meetings in the past few months over the change of guard, at least in white-ball cricket.