Cricket in India has always been surrounded by controversies. The newest has come in the form of Virat Kohli’s indication of not being willing to play the ODI series against South Africa in January next year.
India has a very tough tour coming up later this month when they travel to South Africa to take on the Proteas on their home turf. The series will begin with a 3-match Test series, followed by an ODI and then a T20 series. The squad for the test series has already been announced and it will have Kohli as the skipper. However, due to Rohit Sharma’s injury problems, a stand-in vice-captain has to be chosen by the board from within the squad. This remains to be seen.
Kohli’s Commitment To ODIs Continues To Baffle the Cricketing Fraternity
A lot has been happening within the cricketing fold of the country since September of this year when Virat Kohli’s decision to give up the captaincy of the T20 side after the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup. The Board Of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was then made to look for a new T20 skipper and they found one in Rohit Sharma. On his first full-fledged series as captain, Sharma exceeded expectations and decimated a touring New Zealand side 3-0 to complete a whitewash. This generated rumours that the board was happy with Sharma’s leadership skills to such an extent that they were beginning to think about replacing Kohli with Sharma in the ODI format as well.
Last week the proved the rumours to be true and anointed Rohit Sharma as the new ODI captain while removing Virat Kohli from the role. Since then there have been reports in the media that Kohli has not taken this decision of the board well.
The board has now gone in full damage control mode and is trying to make sure that Kohli leads the ODI side in the crucial series in South Africa. The board has confirmed to reporters that the story that Kohli insisted that he be given rest from the One-dayers came right after the captaincy-change decision was passed, is false. As per the governing board of cricket; Kohli had requested a reprieve from the South Africa ODI series well before he came to know that he would not remain as captain of the ODI side. The main task for the BCCI as of now is to maintain the stance that “all is well within the Indian team.”
A member of the media team that is watching the developments surrounding this issue had this to say- “Sometimes, it’s not just about doing the right thing but also about being seen as doing the right thing.”
Kohli Ready To Speak Up Ahead Of The Side’s Departure For South Africa
As the Indian squad gets ready to embark on its journey to South Africa to take on the Proteas; the captain would be seen facing the reporters and cameramen on Wednesday. Although it has been learnt that Kohli honestly wanted a break from the ODI series in South Africa because of personal engagements; the members of the media would take every opportunity to ask the former ODI and T20 skipper some uncomfortable questions concerning his relationship with the new ODI skipper Rohit Sharma and how he feels about the whole captaincy-change saga.
Kohli And Sharma Has High Praise For Each Other
Ignoring the rumours of growing animosity between them, Kohli and Rohit have always spoken highly of one another. Kohli has over the years talked of his admiration and warmth for his senior teammate. After the announcement of Rohit’s ODI captaincy was made on Monday; Rohit spoke to the media and thanked Kohli for everything he has done for the team. He said, “Five years that he (Kohli) led the team; he led from the front every time, and there was clear grit and determination to win every game. I have played a lot under him, and I have enjoyed each and every moment, still continue to do that.”
BCCI Monitoring The Situation Closely
The board now has to find a way to turn the Indian dressing room into a place of bonhomie. It understands that the relationships that senior players share go a long way in transforming the team into a winning machine. What happens outside the field on most occasions shows itself on the field. On this front, a high official of the BCCI said; “We will try and see what can be done here that is best from the team’s perspective.”