Virat Kohli denied any feud with Rohit Sharma, and stated that all he wants is what’s best for the team.
Kohli renounced his T20 captaincy a month ago, but the BCCI did him dirty and stripped him of one-day captaincy as well. It came as a shock from the cricketing board, with the decision blindsiding most fans.
Sharma was made captain for both formats, and he will lead his country at the 2023 World Cup. The never-ending rumours of tension between Kohli and Sharma came to the forefront again after the decision, a move which didn’t please the current Test captain.
Kohli denied any feud with Sharma, and insisted that his contemporary was an excellent choice to lead the team.
“Rohit is a very able captain and we have seen it in the IPL as well as for India. (Head coach Rahul) Dravid is also very valuable. Both of them will have my absolute support,” he said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“There is no problem between me and Rohit. I have been clarifying for the last two and a half years or so. I’m really tired.
“The chief selector discussed with me the Test team, to which we both agreed. And before ending the call, I was told the five selectors had decided I will not be the ODI captain, to which I replied, ‘okay, fine’, and in the selection call afterwards, we chatted about it briefly.
“That’s what happened. There was no communication prior to that at all.”
Rumours quashed
Many suspected that Kohli being removed from captaincy would mean that he would be sitting out the upcoming games. The former RCB captain denied it, and said that he would be available for everything.
“I was always available. You should not be asking me this question, honestly,” he said.
“I am available for selection for the ODIs in South Africa and I’m always keen to play.”
Read more: Virat Kohli – The captaincy curse