Pragyan Ojha Terms The Discord Between BCCI And Virat Kohli As “Unnecessary” And Hopes The “Focus Will Be Back On Work”

Pragyan Ojha shared a post on Koo saying the discord between BCCI and Virat Kohli was all ‘unnecessary’ and hoped that the focus would return to what needs to be done on the field while reacting to the debate between BCCI and Virat Kohli over the latter’s press conference.

Virat Kohli’s explosive press conference on Wednesday has re-opened the age-old debate of poor communication between players and the board. As fans continue to debate over who’s right and who’s wrong, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has reacted to the developments in a rather cryptic manner.

Pragyan Ojha Terms The Debate Between BCCI And Virat Kohli As Unnecessary

In the press conference, Virat Kohli contradicted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s version of the ODI captaincy change saga. Virat Kohli said that he was informed only 1 and a half hours before the selection committee meeting ahead of the squad announcement for the South Africa Test series while denying having had a chat with board president Sourav Ganguly where the latter had asked him not to relinquish T20I captaincy.

Earlier, Sourav Ganguly had said that he had personally requested Virat Kohli to not give up T20I captaincy but was turned down. In the end, the selection committee wasn’t left with another option but to bring about a change in ODI captaincy too.

Pragyan Ojha, reacting to the controversy, wrote on micro-blogging platform Koo: “Unnecessary! Hope the focus will be back on work.”

Pragyan Ojha reacted to the controversy saying he hoped that Team India’s focus would be back on their work.

“Before quitting the T20I captaincy, I had approached the BCCI and explained the reasons behind my decision. That was received very well. There was no offence or hesitation. I wasn’t told not to relinquish the T20 captaincy. Rather, it was taken as a progressive step, in the right direction,” said Virat Kohli.

“I communicated at that time that I would like to continue as Test and ODI captain unless the office-bearers and the selectors felt that I shouldn’t carry on with this responsibility. My communication (to the BCCI) was clear,” Virat Kohli had said in the press conference.

The BCCI hasn’t yet reacted to the development on official capacity. A statement from the board is expected to be issued, clarifying what exactly had transpired between the BCCI officials and Virat Kohli about the change in ODI captaincy. BCCI took the cricket world by storm by naming Rohit Sharma as the new ODI captain on December 8.

Virat Kohli Contradicts Sourav Ganguly’s Statements

Virat Kohli had stepped down as India’s T20I captain post the T20 World Cup last month but stated that he would continue to lead the team in the other two versions. Owing to the same, Rohit Sharma’s appointment ignited a massive controversy. Contradicting statements from BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli added fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly had stated that he ‘requested’ Virat Kohli to not quit the T20I captaincy. However, Virat Kohli denied his claims, saying he was informed only 90 minutes prior to the selection meeting last week.

The controversy might demoralize the Indian team ahead of a big tour, which is what Pragyan Ojha is referring to indirectly. The Test squad has been announced for which, Virat Kohli will continue acting in a captain’s capacity. Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the 3-match Test series due to an injury.