Picture Credit: Twitter/@BCCI
In a major development, it has been learnt that Virat Kohli could lose captaincy of Team India in the ODIs also. Kohli has already resigned from India’s T20 captaincy. According to the latest reports, most of the senior members of the board are of the view that ‘split captaincy won’t work for T20I & ODIs. As a result, Kohli is likely to lose his ODI captaincy if the Indian team fails to qualify for the semifinals in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE.
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not happy with the way the Indian team has performed in their first two matches of the showpiece event. India have lost two consecutive matches by big margins against New Zealand and Pakistan. India's campaign got off to a poor start as they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan by 10 wickets. In the second Super 12 clash, India lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets. India's semi-final hopes are almost over due to their net run rate of -1.609. Even though there's still an outside chance for India to make it to semis but that would require a number of other results to go in their favour.
The Indian national selectors will meet in the next couple of days to select the Indian squad for upcoming home series against New Zealand. During the meeting, the selectors will also have the captaincy topic on their agenda.
If India manage to qualify then the scenario could change: BCCI source
The BCCI source revealed that Virat could retain ODI captaincy if India somehow manage to sneak into the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup.
"The board is unhappy. And there is serious doubt over his (Virat) ODI captaincy now as well. But three games still left and if India, by any chance, manage to qualify and fight back in the tournament then the scenario could change. But, right now, if you ask me or anybody, Virat is doubtful as ODI captain,” the source said.
Asked if Rohit Sharma could be given the responsibility, the official commented, “It is too early to name anybody, let the T20 World Cup get over. Rahul Dravid may also join the team as head coach soon. He will be discussed as well. Rohit or anybody else, or Virat continues, everything will be done afterwards. There are chances that India get one captain for T20 and ODI formats and one (Virat) for Tests.”
Team India will travel to Abu Dhabi to play their next Super 12 match against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
