File photo of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli Chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma on Friday refuted the Indian Test captain’s version before leaving for South Africa, saying that everyone, including the BCCI office-bearers, had requested them to reconsider relinquishing the T20 captaincy ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. .
In his explosive pre-departure press conference, Kohli had a blast refuting BCCI president Sourav Ganguly’s claims that he was never asked by anyone to give up the T20 captaincy and that he was given the ODI leadership 90 minutes before the Test team. was informed about the dismissal from Selection for South Africa tour
When asked whether the captain was right, former fast bowler Chetan had the exact opposite.
“When the meeting started, it was a surprise for everyone. If the World T20 is near and you hear something like this, what will be your reaction? Everyone present in that meeting told him that he had to make his decision. (to step down from T20 captaincy) and we can talk about it after the World Cup.”
In fact, everyone told him to continue “for the sake of Indian cricket”, but apparently he had made up his mind.
“At that time all the selectors felt that it might affect us in the World Cup. It was said to Virat for Indian cricket, please stay on as captain and it was all (BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah) Told in the meeting.
Chetan said, “The convener was there, the board officials were there. Sab ne bola hai (everyone told them), who won’t tell you? If this news comes to you, you are in shock.”
“But since we had World T20 to play, we never wanted this (decision) to affect the team. He (Kohli) had plans and we respect him. He is a pillar of the team and if We respect if he has taken a decision but yes, everyone told him to think about it.”
Virat decided to step down from T20 captaincy and we decided to lead ODIs
Chetan categorically stated that the selectors had decided to convey to Kohli that two white-ball leaders were not a possible option.
“It was Virat’s decision and no one actually asked him to step down. Once he has given up the T20 captaincy, obviously the selectors have to think about what our decision is and obviously it’s white. There is a captain for the ball formats, it becomes easier for the selectors to plan things.
“Obviously, the 50-over decision was with the selectors and T20 was their decision,” Chetan put it on record.
Was Kohli asked to sack ODI captaincy when he spoke of T20 resignation?
Asked whether the selectors have given enough indications about Kohli giving up the T20 captaincy, Chetan framed a counter-question.
“Would you be able to tell at that point, what will be your decision at that moment? That was not the right time and we were in the middle of the World Cup. We had to cool things down so that it could happen. The World Cup wouldn’t affect the campaign.”
“This was not the time to tell him that we would remove him. That’s what everyone on the board said,” he said.
The Controversy of the “90 Minutes” and the Speaker’s Side of the Story
Kohli was furious after being sacked from ODI captaincy and one of his famous quotes was that he was told “90 minutes” before the Test team selection meeting for the tour of South Africa that he was being dropped.
Now Chetan has given his side of the story.
“As soon as the selection committee meeting was over, I called Virat immediately. We didn’t want to inform the selection meeting and so when our meeting was over I called him and that’s what the selectors are saying and there will be one white ball captain. And there were some questions and we had a good conversation.
“He (Kohli) agreed to that. I can’t disclose what we discuss and we had a good conversation. When it comes to planning, our thought process was that we needed a white-ball captain. the wanted.
“He had come to the (Test selection) meeting around 5.30 pm and we had informed him before that. It was a tough decision for us and we have to take some tough decisions and that’s what we are here for,” he said. Sometimes they are needed.” hour.”
Don’t know what would have happened if Ajaz Patel was an Indian player
Chetan said the selectors often turn out to be the favorite whipping boys in India as compared to other countries.
New Zealand dismissed world record holder Ejaz Patel after 10 runs against India and there was no controversy.
“Ajaz was dropped after 10-for….if we had left him, don’t know what would have happened,” he laughed.
misunderstanding
Chetan agreed that communication is required and he will now be available after the team selection meetings so that he can explain the various selections.
He said that all the selectors have been interacting with the domestic players.
“We don’t want to hide anything. Only those people have something to hide, who are doing whatever is wrong. We are not doing anything wrong.”
Do the selectors need to make Virat and Rohit sit across the table?
Chetan denied speculations of any rift between India’s white and red-ball captains.
“They are all right. Don’t go on speculation,” he said.
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