Here’s what the India Test captain said yesterday before departing for South Africa, as against Board chief Sourav Ganguly’s statements over the last few days. Surely, we’ve not heard the last of this raging controversy...
Test captain Virat Kohli and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly
Quitting T20 captaincy, ODI axe
When I left the T20 captaincy, I had first approached BCCI and intimated them of my decision and laid down my point of view in front of them [office bearers]. I gave the reasons why I wanted to quit T20 captaincy and my viewpoint was received very nicely. There was no offence, no hesitation and not for once was I told that ‘you should not leave T20 captaincy’. On the contrary, the BCCI called it a progressive step and in the right direction. At that time, I had communicated that...yes, I would like to continue in Tests and ODIs unless office-bearers and selectors think that I shouldn’t carry on with this responsibility. I had clarified my call and communication to BCCI was clear.
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I personally requested him [Kohli] not to give up T20 captaincy. Obviously, he felt the workload, which is fine. He has been a great cricketer, he has been very intense with his cricket. He has captained for a long period of time and these things happen. Because I have captained for a long period of time, therefore, I know. Also, they wanted only one white-ball captain. And that’s why this decision.
Who said what on Dec 8
Whatever was said about the communication that happened [referring to Ganguly’s so-called chat with him] about the decision that was made was inaccurate. I was contacted one-and-a-half hours before selection meeting on 8th [December] for [SA] Test series and there was no prior communication to me at all since I announced my decision on T20 captaincy. The chief selector discussed the Test team to which we both agreed. Before ending the call, I was told that the five selectors have decided that I will not be the ODI captain to which I replied ‘okay fine’.
Yes, I have spoken to Virat personally and chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma has also spoken to him on the issue [to replace him as the ODI captain].
ICC events or two skips issue?
Reasons...obviously we haven’t won ICC tournaments. The reasons, I can understand. For me, there was no debate in whether the decision was correct or not. The decision that BCCI has taken is from a logical point of view and completely understandable. I can understand.
I can’t explain more about what was discussed and what selectors have said, but this is primary reason for having Rohit as white-ball captain and Virat accepted it.
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