If reports are to be believed, then Rohit Sharma was set to replace Virat Kohli as Team India’s captain in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20Is) after the T20 World Cup 2021. Virat Kohli is currently India’s captain across all formats. He took over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and then became the limited-overs skipper in 2017.
“Virat himself will make the announcement. He is of the view that he needs to concentrate on his batting and go back to becoming what he’s always been- the best batsman in the world,” The Times of India quoted sources as saying.
As per a report in the Times of India, Kohli has taken the decision to share the leadership responsibilities with Rohit to focus on his batting. Kohli hasn’t scored a hundred since 2019. This is his longest lean patch so far in his career. Although he has scored the fifties and also played some stunning knocks in this period but has failed to convert those into the three-figures mark.
“It will wrap up a historic Test cycle from an India perspective. Virat is also the first to realize that his overall responsibilities as captain across formats are taking a toll on his batting. He needs that space and freshness because he has a lot more to offer. If Rohit takes over as white-ball captain, Virat can continue leading India’s red-ball aspirations and work on his T20 and One-day batting. He’s just 32 and given his fitness, he will easily play top cricket for another five to six years at least,” TOI quoted sources as saying
Rohit Sharma vs Virat Kohli – LOI captaincy record
Kohli led India in 95 ODIs, with 65 wins and 27 defeats. In 45 T20Is so far under his captaincy, India has won 27 times while losing 14 times. Since taken over the white ball captaincy, Kohli has been criticized for his failure in the ICC tournaments. India is yet to win a major ICC trophy under his captaincy. Kohli led India to the final of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and the semi-final of the ODI World Cup in 2019. Recently, in June, India lost in the final of the World Test Championship against New Zealand in Southampton.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has led India on several occasions in the absence of Kohli. Rohit led India to an Asia Cup victory in 2018 and a famous win in the Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh in the same year. In 10 ODIs under his captaincy, India went on to win eight matches. In 19 T20Is, India has won 15 and lost four. Rohit Sharma is also the most successful captain in the history of IPL having won five titles so far with Mumbai Indians.
“Captaincy in 3 formats affecting Virat’s batting. We realize spin-masters will be at work, giving their own twists to these developments. That’s the reason BCCI is planning this well in advance. In the end, Virat and Rohit are on the same page,” sources were quoted as saying by TOI.
However, The BCCI treasurer has confirmed this afternoon that the board hasn’t discussed anything on split captaincy yet.
“Virat Kohli to remain captain of all the 3 formats. BCCI hasn’t discussed anything on the split captaincy,” said BCCI treasurer said to IANS.
