I wasn't asked to remain T20 captain: Virat Kohli

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, December 15

Virat Kohli has revealed that he was summarily sacked as captain of the India ODI team, and informed about it at the end of a phone call with chief selector Chetan Sharma. He also refuted BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly’s claim that BCCI had tried to persuade him to remain the T20 team captain.

Excerpts from Kohli’s media interaction:

What was the communication between you, selectors and BCCI regarding captaincy?

I was contacted one-and-a-half hours before the selection committee meeting on the 8th (December) for the Test series and there was no prior communication with me at all since I announced the T20 captaincy decision… The chief selector discussed with me the Test team, to which we both agreed. Before we ended the call, I was told that the five selectors had decided that I won’t be ODI captain, to which I replied, ‘Okay, fine’. There was no prior communication.

You gave up T20 captaincy, but wanted to lead at the 2023 World Cup…

About the T20I captaincy, I first approached the BCCI explaining my point of view, thought process and reasons. And at that point, it was received very well… I was not told to not leave the T20I captaincy. Rather, it was received as a progressive call. I had also communicated that yes, I would like to continue as the skipper in Tests and ODIs unless the office-bearers or the selectors feel I shouldn’t continue.

Were you told the reasons for being removed?

Obviously, we haven’t won an ICC tournament. I can understand the reasons. There is no debate on whether the decision was right or wrong. The decision taken by the BCCI has been taken with a logical point of view which is understandable.

Will you be available for the ODI series against South Africa?

I was and I am available for selection… All this time. You should not be asking me this question, honestly. These questions should be asked to those who are writing these stories and their sources. I had not had any communication with the BCCI that I want to rest.

Could you tell us a bit about your relationship with Rohit?

As far as my relationship with Rohit goes, I have said earlier as well that there are no problems between us and honestly, I am tired of answering the same question over and over again over the last two-three years. I can say with absolute guarantee that no action of mine will be to bring down the team as long as I play the game.