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Virat Kohli Wanted Rohit Sharma To Be Removed From ODI Vice-captaincy?
By CricShots - Sep 17, 2021 11:06 am
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Since the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has decided to resign from the T20I captaincy post the World Cup later this year, it has given rise to some polarising opinions. Apart from that, there are a plethora of theories on why the skipper would have taken the decision, what would have led to it and what will be the consequences of the decision in the future.

KL Rahul
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli 

Speculations of a rift between Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been floating around for a while despite the fact that the top officials have always maintained that both the stalwarts of Indian cricket are on the same page. Moreover, Virat Kohli has acknowledged Rohit as part of the leadership group as well in his note on captaincy yesterday, yet a lot of people are still not convinced regarding the power struggle in the Indian cricket team.

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As per a report in PTI, Kohli had recently gone to the selection committee and proposed that Rohit Sharma should be removed as the vice-captain of the ODI team as he is 34. Kohli, himself 32, argued that KL Rahul should be looked at for that position keeping the long-term goal in mind, and have Delhi Capitals’ skipper Rishabh Pant as his deputy in T20.

Without naming any BCCI official, the report stated, “This didn’t go down well with the Board which believes that Kohli doesn’t want an actual successor”.

kohli rohit
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Be that as it may, with Virat Kohli specifically naming Rohit Sharma alongside Ravi head coach Ravi Shastri in the note, there are certain chances that Rohit will be taking over the captaincy mantle from Kohli post the World Cup whether Kohli wants it or not. Virat Kohli also mentioned in the note he needs space to lead the team in ODIs and Tests, but there is no surety behind him staying as the captain till the 2023 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma will be 36 by the time, however, if he proves his worth as the T20 skipper and manages to land an ICC trophy, something Kohli has not been able to do in his 6-7 years at the helm, Rohit Sharma can become the ODI skipper as well.

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One of BCCI insiders in the known things, while talking to PTI said, “Virat knew that he would have been removed from white ball captaincy. If the team doesn’t do well at the UAE World T20, he was gone for good as far as white-ball leadership is concerned. He just reduced a bit of pressure on himself as it would seem that he is there on his own terms. It might not happen for 50 overs if the performance in T20 hits a downward spiral.”