‘Virat doesn’t wield undue influence’

New Delhi, May 21

Virat Kohli’s aura in Indian cricket has grown exponentially over the past few years but contrary to popular perception, he has never wielded “disproportionate influence” when it comes to policy decisions, says Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai.

Rai has had first-hand experience of interacting with Kohli on policy matters and after 16 months, he has his own assessment of the Indian skipper. “Any captain will exercise a certain influence on the team. I am in favour of allowing that flexibility and discretion to a certain degree. After all, the captain carries the cross,” Rai said. “But I will make it clear that nobody has come to me and said that Kohli exercises influence which is disproportionate to what a captain should be enjoying,” he added.

The former CAG stated that the skipper has never pressurised him on any policy matter. “At a personal level, Virat’s behaviour with me has been absolutely proper. Virat has never pressurised me for anything. Neither the team management nor the selectors have ever had any complaints about Virat,” Rai said.

The speculation over Kohli’s excessive influence in policy decisions was quite high during the resignation of Anil Kumble as the chief coach. It was widely reported that it was Kohli’s pressure that forced Kumble to step down. 

Lessons learnt

Rai also explained the rationale behind allowing Kohli to play county cricket for Surrey at the expense of Afghanistan Test. “I was involved in the decision-making right from the start. There was a lot of criticism that the team didn’t have enough time to acclimatise during the South Africa tour where we lost the Test series 1-2. This time we discussed with the team management, with India A coach Rahul Dravid, and chalked an elaborate plan so that our boys reach there early and get to play matches in order to get ready. Also the Afghanistan CEO (Shafiq Stanikzai) made a statesman like statement that they are playing India and not Virat Kohli,” he added.

Pink-ball experiment can wait

Rai also made it clear that the decision of not playing ‘pink-ball cricket’ was taken only after consulting the primary stakeholders — which is the players — and insisted that knowing their “mindset” is necessary.

“The whole world plays matches to win. Maybe 50 years back, Indian team used to play Test matches for a draw. We have a fantastic team and they want to focus on whatever is the immediate objective (win Test series in England and Australia, 2019 WC in England).”

Asked if India will play a pink-ball Test in the 2019-20 home season, Rai replied: “I am not making a commitment. It requires a long-term planning and I leave it to General Manager (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim to take a decision.” — PTI