Why Rohit Sharma Appointed as ODI Captain: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly explains why Rohit Sharma was appointed as India’s ODI skipper ahead of the South Africa tour.
Ganguly made it clear that it was the selectors’ decision to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit as the ODI captain as they felt that having two leaders in two white-ball formats wouldn’t have been ideal for the Indian teams.
Why Rohit Sharma Appointed as ODI Captain
The former India captain also revealed that the Indian cricket board had requested Kohli not to step down as the T20I skipper but he wasn’t willing to continue leading in the format post the World Cup in the UAE.
“We had requested Virat not to step down as T20I 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,” Ganguly told PTI.
Dada went on to add that multiple leaders in the limited-overs formats would have led to confusion and that’s why the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee chose to appoint Rohit as the “captain of the ODI and T20I teams going forward”.
“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. Read: Virat Kohli Coach Slams BCCI Over ODI Captaincy Removal
“We did consider that (Kohli’s outstanding record as ODI captain) but 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,” the Indian cricket board chief said.
Ganguly however, refrained from predicting how Rohit would turn out as the leader in both formats but wished him for the job.
“It’s very difficult to predict. I wish him all the best and I hope he does a good job,” Ganguly said before going on to reveal that both him and chief selector Chetan Sharma had spoken to Kohli before making their announcement on December 8.
“Yes, I have spoken to Virat personally and chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma also spoke to him on the issue.
“I can’t explain more about what all was discussed and what selectors have said, but this is the primary reason for having Rohit as the white-ball captain and Virat accepted it,” Ganguly said. In another interview, Ganguly Reveals the REAL Reason for Choosing Rohit Sharma as ODI Captain.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming South African ODI series while Virat Kohli will lead the side in 3 match Test series.
