Former chief selector MSK Prasad was surprised after Virat Kohli announced to step down from the captaincy of the Indian T20I team post the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE. Prasad feels the pressure of leading India in all three formats and the bio-bubble life must have played a role in Kohli’s decision.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli, on Thursday, announced that he will vacate the Indian T20I team’s captaincy after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021. He mentioned the excessive workload he has been under for the last 8-9 years.
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Former chief selector MSK Prasad was surprised with Kohli’s decision but he knew the excessive workload Kohli had been under.
“It is a little surprising that the decision was announced before the T20 World Cup. But then, the stress he must be carrying due to the bubble life and moving on from one bubble to another (could have also impacted). It is clearly visible and that has impacted his mindset,” Prasad said to Sportstar.
“Virat is someone who has scored 70 centuries (43 in ODIs and 27 in Tests) in a decade has achieved something unbelievable and has set high standards. Probably, the bubble life had an impact on his individual performance, and that would have perhaps made him take such a decision before the T20 World Cup. Maybe, he wanted to unburden himself by letting go of one format,” he added.
However, Prasad believes making this decision before the T20 World Cup will allow Kohli to play the tournament without much pressure.
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“Under Virat’s captaincy, it has only been a high for Indian cricket in T20s. We have achieved success in New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Australia, and this T20 World Cup will be the first mega T20I event under his captaincy.
“This decision will de-stress him and unburden him a bit because he knows that he will be letting go of one of one format after the tournament and that will perhaps free him a bit in the mega event,” Prasad concluded.
India will play Pakistan in their campaign-opener of the T20 World Cup 2021 on October 24 in Dubai.
