Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma cannot get along with each other. That was the general sense in various circles, but there was never a shred of evidence to prove one of the most controversial episodes of Indian cricket in the current era.
However, the incidents of the past few days have given some credence to the fact that all is possibly not well between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two giants of the game in a country besotted with their cricket stars.
So, what led to such rumors in the first place? Virat Kohli has been effusive in his praise for Rohit Sharma, the only cricketer with 3 double hundreds in one-day internationals. Virat Kohli has never shied away from admitting Rohit is a far more talented cricketer, a far more gifted batsman.
These two have known each other for years. While Rohit Sharma made his debut for India in 2007, Virat Kohli broke into the team the next year. Over the next decade, the two young men carved their own niche with runs, records and accolades.
In all fairness, there has never been a public fallout. There has never been a statement out of place by either Virat Kohli or Rohit against the other. Before the T20I series against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma and Rahul were categorical in their stance - Virat Kohli will have a huge role to play in the team as a leader.
These rumors of a rift date back to a couple of years. But such gossip has always been part of Indian cricket. Legends who do not get along with each other in a dressing-room. What is so new? Is there some truth to what the rumor mills were churning out about Virat Kohli and Rohit?
One could sense something would give when Virat Kohli announced his decision to step down as India's T20I captain shortly before the World Cup got underway in the UAE. In a statement, Virat Kohli said he was giving up the captaincy reins in the shortest format to manage his workload, but he was clear about continuing to lead India in Tests and One Day International.
There was no immediate announcement of an official replacement for Virat Kohli as T20I captain, but Rohit Sharma was named skipper in the 3-match series against New Zealand as Virat Kohli took a break from the series and the first Test of the 2-match series. India whitewashed New Zealand in the T20Is and defeated them 1-0 in the Tests.
And then, the squad for the Test series in South Africa was named. Ajinkya was sacked as Test vice-captain and Rohit Sharma was named Virat Kohli's new deputy. No surprises there. Ajinkya's form was such that he was lucky to get another opportunity to be on tour, despite Shreyas Iyer's historic debut in Kanpur.
However, within a few minutes, the Board of Control for Cricket in India tweeted to say Rohit Sharma has been named captain of India's ODI and T20I sides going forward. That came as a shocker. Just a few weeks back, Virat Kohli had asserted his wish to stay on as skipper in the longer formats and here, it was being taken away from him in a terse, one-line tweet.
Speculation was rife right at that moment. Virat Kohli did not want to give up his One-Day International captaincy, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India wasn't having any of it. After hours of silence, the Board of Control for Cricket in India president said the board had requested Virat Kohli to stay on as T20I captain, and that the selectors were not in favor of splitting the captaincy in the shortest format. It was understood thereafter that losing the ODI captaincy then was a foregone conclusion for Virat Kohli.
You must be logged in to post a comment.