The BCCI on Wednesday named Rohit the captain of the ODI side going into the 2023 ODI World Cup, replacing Virat Kohli in the 50-over format.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Thursday said that once Virat Kohli refused to continue as India’s T20 captain, the selectors made up their mind to hand the ODI reins to Rohit Sharma as the national team couldn’t afford “too much leadership”.
“We had requested Virat not to step down as T20 captain but he didn’t want to continue as captain. So, the selectors felt that they cannot have two white ball captains in two white-ball formats. That’s too much of leadership,” BCCI president and former India captain told PTI.
“I don’t know (about confusion) but that’s what they (selectors) felt. That’s how this conclusion was arrived at — that let Rohit captain in white ball and let Virat be the red-ball skipper,” Ganguly added.
Earlier it was reported that Virat Kohli refused to quit as ODI captain and ‘dared’ BCCI to sack him.
If you look at Rohit’s record in whatever ODIs he has captained for India, it’s very good. Bottom line, there can’t be two white ball captains,” Ganguly further said.
The sensitive question of not winning any ICC Trophy during Kohli’s tenure at the helm was also asked but the Board president refused to divulge the details of the discussion.
“I can’t explain more about what all was discussed and what selectors have said, but this is primary reason for having Rohit as white ball captain and Virat accepted it,” he revealed.
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