I Didn’t Remove Virat Kohli From Captaincy: Sourav Ganguly

I Didn’t Remove Virat Kohli From Captaincy: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has recently addressed the rumors and speculations surrounding the removal of Virat Kohli from the captaincy of the Indian cricket team. Ganguly, in a candid interview, clarified that he had no role in the decision to remove Kohli as captain and shed light on the circumstances leading up to Kohli’s resignation. In this article, we will delve into Ganguly’s statements and explore the timeline of events that unfolded, providing a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

The T20 World Cup Exit and Kohli’s Stepping Down

After India’s early exit from the T20 World Cup in 2021, Virat Kohli took the brave decision to step down as the captain of the Indian team in T20 Internationals (T20Is). This surprising move left fans and experts speculating about the reasons behind Kohli’s decision and the future of his captaincy in other formats of the game.

Ganguly’s Clarification: No Involvement in Kohli’s Removal

Amidst the rumors and accusations, Sourav Ganguly stepped forward to clarify his position regarding Kohli’s removal from the captaincy. Ganguly emphatically stated that he did not play any part in the decision to remove Kohli and that the choice was entirely Kohli’s own. Ganguly emphasized that he had no role in the process and revealed the conversation he had with Kohli regarding the captaincy situation.

“I didn’t remove Virat from the captaincy. I have said this a lot of times. He was not interested in leading in T20Is. So, after he made that decision, I told him, if you’re not interested in leading in T20Is, it’s better if you step down from the entire white-ball cricket. Let there be a white-ball captain and a red-ball captain,” Ganguly explained during a recent interview.

A Clear Demarcation Between White-Ball and Red-Ball Leadership

Ganguly’s statement shed light on the rationale behind the decision to have separate captains for white-ball cricket (ODIs and T20Is) and red-ball cricket (Tests). The idea was to allow Kohli to focus on leading the team in the longer format while relieving him of the additional responsibility in the shorter formats. Ganguly’s intention was to maintain a clear demarcation between the white-ball and red-ball leadership roles, with the aim of optimizing performance in each format.

Kohli’s Success as India’s Captain

Virat Kohli’s tenure as the captain of the Indian cricket team was marked by numerous successes and achievements. Taking over the captaincy reins from MS Dhoni in 2017, Kohli led India to the coveted number one spot in the Test rankings. One of his significant achievements was leading the Indian team to their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19. Under Kohli’s leadership, India also reached the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and the semi-finals of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Transition: Rohit Sharma Takes Over

Following Kohli’s decision to step down from the T20I captaincy, the responsibility was passed on to Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most accomplished batsmen. Sharma, who had already proved his leadership skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, was seen as a natural choice to lead the team in the white-ball formats. The decision to appoint Sharma as the white-ball captain received widespread support and was viewed as a strategic move to ensure a smooth transition.

Kohli’s Disappointment and the Lack of Communication

During a press conference following his removal from the ODI captaincy, Kohli expressed his disappointment at not being informed about the decision beforehand. This statement fueled speculations about the involvement of Sourav Ganguly in the process. However, Ganguly has made it clear that he was not responsible for informing Kohli about the decision, as it was solely Kohli’s choice to step down from the T20I captaincy, which subsequently led to the decision of appointing a new captain for the ODI format.

Ganguly’s Influence in Sharma’s Decision

While Ganguly clarified that he had no involvement in Kohli’s removal, he did acknowledge his influence in convincing Rohit Sharma to take up the responsibility of leading the Indian team in the longer format as well. Ganguly revealed that Sharma was initially reluctant to take on the role of the Test captain, but he played a pivotal role in persuading Sharma to embrace the leadership position. Ganguly’s aim was to ensure a smooth transition and provide stability in the team’s leadership across all three formats of the game.

“I pushed Rohit Sharma a bit to take up the captaincy role because he wasn’t interested in leading in all three formats of the game. So, maybe I have a bit of contribution in that, but no matter who is administrating, it’s the players who perform well on the field,” Ganguly clarified.

Kohli’s Resignation from Test Captaincy

In a surprising turn of events, Virat Kohli announced his resignation from the Test captaincy following India’s series defeat in South Africa in early 2022. Kohli, who had been leading the team in the longest format of the game since 2014, decided to step down, citing the need for fresh ideas and a new approach. Despite his resignation, Kohli’s contributions as the Test captain were highly regarded, with a remarkable record of 40 wins in 68 matches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sourav Ganguly’s recent statements have provided clarity on the situation surrounding Virat Kohli’s resignation from the captaincy of the Indian cricket team. Ganguly has categorically denied any involvement in Kohli’s removal and has emphasized that the decision was entirely Kohli’s own. The appointment of separate captains for white-ball and red-ball cricket was a strategic move aimed at optimizing performance in each format. As the cricketing world awaits the appointment of a new Test captain, the focus remains on the team’s future and the continued success of Indian cricket under new leadership.