Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has spoken up about his view on the split captaincy between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma where the first captain the Test side while the latter is in charge of the white-ball team. Kohli gave up his seat as the Indian T20I team captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Not long after, he was also sacked as ODI captain. Both positions are now occupied by Rohit.
Shastri, who ended his coaching career after the 2021 T20 world cup said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to have split captaincy in Indian teams was wise and that it could be a blessing in disguise for both Kohli and Rohit.
“It’s the right way to go," said Shastri. "This could be a blessing in disguise for Virat and Rohit. For one guy to handle all 3 is not easy at all in this time of living in and out of bio-bubbles because of Covid.
“Virat can focus on red-ball cricket and lead for as long as he wants to lead in Tests. It will allow him to sit back and think on his game because he’s got a good 5-6 years left in him."
Syed Kirmani wants Kohli and BCCI to show 'harmony'
Former India wicketkeeper-batsman has also voiced his opinion on the controversies surrounding Virat's removal from ODI captain where he said he received no notification prior to his sacking.
“It is important to have harmony among one another, it is important to communicate before you take an important decision," KIrmani said on Sunday. "Egos play a very big role in an individual’s life. That should not be there, Kohli is a powerful player.
“The selection committee and BCCI President have their power, it is important to have harmony to sort out all the issues.”
Kohli previously said he understood the decision to remove him from ODI captaincy, saying that it was logical as he had failed "logical" as he had failed to win a single ICC title.
"I can understand why," said Kohli during a virtual press conference ahead of the Indian team's departure for South Africa for the country's Test tour. "The reason: We haven't won an ICC tournament. Whether the decision they took is right or wrong, there's no debate. It's a logical decision which I understand."
During the same press conference, however, Kohli claimed he had not been notified that he was about to be replaced.
"Whatever was said about the communication that happened during the decision that was made was inaccurate," Kohli continued while answering a question from ANI. "I was contacted one and half hours before the selection meeting on 8th for the Test series.
"And there was no prior communication with me since I announced the T20I captaincy decision up till December 8. The chief selector discussed the Test team to which we both agreed. Before ending the call, I was told the five selectors decided that I would not be ODI captain. To which I replied 'okay fine.'"
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that the BCCI would handle the issue internally and refused to comment on the situation.
"No statements, no press conference. We will deal with it, leave it to BCCI," said Ganguly barely 24 hours after Kohli's press conference. Butt hailed the decision, saying that handling the matter internally was the wisest option.
“It's a sensible topic and it would have been naïve if there were exchange of words over the matter to the board would have sent a show-cause notice," Butt explained on his YouTube channel. "That is not the way. Team in on a tour. The main objective is to play cricket and win matches and play for the country."
