Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has applauded the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its handling of Virat Kohli's claim surrounding his removal from ODI captaincy. He said he understood the decision, calling it 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 in a new era of Indian cricket where the star batter is no longer a captain. "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."
Kohli was replaced by Rohit Sharma. He, however, also claimed that he received no notification prior to being removed as the captain of the team.
"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's response
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that the cricket board would take care of Kohli's claim of receiving no communication but the board has remained silent so far.
"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."
The former Pakistan Test skipper also cited that it was best to keep the media out of this issue.
“I think they have been sensible about it, all of them," the 37-year-old added. "And they should keep it under wraps. Better not to give media half-volleys or full tosses or else you will be hit for boundaries or sixes. Obviously, they have had a discussion about it, but it has obviously been all internal and that is the way to go.”
Earlier, however, prior to Ganguly's comment being made, batting great Sunil Gavaskar said that the president should not be discreet about BCCI's view on the matter, claiming that he was the right person to clear up the controversy.
"Yes, he is the BCCI president and surely he should be asked why there is this discrepancy," Gavaskar told India Today. "He is probably the best person to ask about the discrepancy in what you seem to have to say and what the Indian captain has said."
