“There was no communication prior to that at all” – Virat Kohli on being sacked as ODI captain

India’s Test captain Virat Kohli has asserted that there was no intimation about being sacked as the ODI captain. Incidentally, the selection committee chaired by former cricketer Chetan Sharma appointed Rohit Sharma as India’s new 50-over captain.

Kohli revealed that during the call to discuss the Test team for South Africa, he was informed of the decision by BCCI selectors and he was “fine” with it. Addressing a press conference, Virat Kohli cleared the air on the controversy surrounding the captaincy change.

“Whatever was said about the communication that happened during the (captaincy) decision that was made was inaccurate. I was contacted one and a half hours before the selection meeting on the 8th for the Test series. There was no prior communication with me at all since I announced the T20 captaincy decision, up until the 8th of December,” Kohli said. 

“The chief selector discussed with me the Test team, to which we both agreed. Before ending the call, I was told that the five selectors had decided I will not be ODI captain. I replied – ‘okay fine’. There was no communication prior to that at all,” he added.

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1471046347021111296?s=20

Incidentally, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had stated a few days earlier that he had personally requested Kohli not to step down from the T20 captaincy.

I communicated that I would like to continue leading in ODIs and Tests – Virat Kohli

While Virat Kohli relinquished the leadership duties in the shortest format, the talismanic run-scorer was keen to continue as ODI and Test captain. But he added that he was okay if the BCCI office bearers and selectors felt that he should not continue leading the team.

“When I told BCCI that I want to give up T20I captaincy, it was accepted really well. There was no hesitation over that. It was seen as a progressive step. At that time, I communicated that I would like to continue leading in ODIs and Tests. I had clarified the same on call back then. The communication with BCCI from my side was clear. I also told them that if the office bearers and selectors felt I should not be the captain, then they could make a decision regarding the same,” Kohli concluded. 

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will lead the side in the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa starting from December 26 in Centurion.