Sourav Ganguly opens up on Virat Kohli’s sacking as ODI skipper
Sourav Ganguly (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has opened up on the appointment of Rohit Sharma as ODI captain. In a surprise move, the board named Rohit as ODI skipper going forward. The development was a shock to many as Virat Kohli had earlier stated his wish to lead ODI and Test team.
Soon after Rohit’s appointment, speculations started doing rounds that BCCI gave 48-hour ultimatum to Virat Kohli to vacate the post, which he refused after which BCCI sacked him as named Rohit as captain.
Ganguly opened up on the issue and said the decision was taken collectively by the selection committee and BCCI. He also shed light on Rohit’s appointment as ODI captain. Ganguly revealed that BCCI had asked Virat Kohli to not step down as T20I captain which he didn’t agree to. BCCI felt that having two different skippers for two white-ball formats is not the right way to go thus appointed Rohit as the ODI captain. The opener was earlier handed over the reins of the T20I team well.
“It’s a call that the BCCI and the selectors took together. Actually, the BCCI had requested Virat to not step down as the T20I skipper but obviously, he did not agree. And the selectors then did not feel it right to have two different captains for two white-ball formats,” as quoted by Timesnownews.
Ganguly expressed his gratitude to Kohli for his services as limited-overs skipper, while adding that they have full faith in Rohit’s ability as captain.
“So, it was decided that Virat will continue as Test captain and Rohit will take over as the white-ball captain. I as President personally spoke to Virat Kohli and the chairman of selectors has also spoken to him.
“We have full faith in Rohit Sharma’s leadership abilities, and Virat will continue as the Test captain. We as BCCI are confident that Indian cricket is in good hands. We thank Virat Kohli for his contributions as captain in the white-ball format,” the BCCI president added.
