Former India opener turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels that Chetan Sharma’s clarification on Virat Kohli being asked not to step down from the captaincy of the T20 format has reignited the controversy that is going around in Indian cricket.
Kohli, in his pre-departure press conference before the South Africa tour, said that he wasn’t asked to reconsider his decision to give up the T20I captaincy. However, Chetan Sharma has recently opened up on Sourav Ganguly’s earlier statement that Ganguly and selectors had asked Kohli not to step down. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Sharma’s statement has made headlines as well.
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He said: “A little more fuel has been added to the fire which was already there because the clarification has come from the BCCI via Chetan Sharma, who is the chairman of selectors. Chetan Sharma has issued a clarification that we all had asked Virat not to leave the T20I captaincy, that its timing is not correct; there will be an impact on the World Cup but the captain did not agree.”
He continued: “Everyone who was there in the selection committee meeting – selectors, BCCI officials, convenor – all present, requested Virat Kohli to not step down. This is Chetan Sharma’s quote, but the captain said he wanted to step down. Captain had said no one had asked him anything, and everyone said it is a very progressive step.”
However, the contrasting statements between the BCCI top officials and Virat Kohli have created an unnecessary controversy too. Meanwhile, Kohli has led the team to a win in the first Test against South Africa.
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“There should be no rumours and sources in 2022 although, after Chetan Sharma’s statement, the shots might have been fired and maybe there will be reciprocation from Virat Kohli’s side as well because till now that is what is happening – one person says something and the other refutes. It’s not really nice, but then if it happens, don’t be surprised,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
