Virat Kohli Press Conference: The cat is out of the bag, or say that the elephant in the room has been addressed. Eight days of relentless speculations and rumours surrounding Kohli’s ODI captaincy sacking and his ‘soured’ relation with the BCCI and Rohit Sharma – the new white-ball skipper – has been brought to a thumping end by Virat Kohli, the former ODI captain of the Indian cricket team. Follow more sports news on InsideSport.IN.
Until Tuesday, reports that the 33-year-old has made himself unavailable for the 3-match ODI series in South Africa, were doing the rounds. Sources informed that Kohli had asked for a break and wanted to spend time with family and be available for the first birthday of her daughter Vamika in January. Many believed that all these developments were the aftermath of Kohli’s ‘unceremonious’ exit as India’s ODI captain.
Virat Kohli’s press conference on Thursday was talk of the town. Not that, everyone was eagerly waiting to listen about Kohli’s plan on the seaming and bouncing conditions in South Africa. The focus was entirely on the aforementioned ‘rumours and speculations’.
Virat Kohli Press Conference: Former ODI captain drives, cuts, pulls in style
With all eyes on him and some tough questions to answer, the swashbuckling batsman found himself in a territory similar to when he has given his best on the field. The Delhi-born rose in the pressure situation again – driving, cutting and pulling flamboyantly in the virtual pre-tour press conference.
Virat Kohli ‘cuts’ comments from BCCI office bearers in style
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had recently said that he personally talked to Virat Kohli about the decisions of the selectors to remove him from ODI captaincy. Ganguly had added that Kohli was also asked to not leave the T20I captaincy.
On the flip side, Kohli has asserted that nobody asked him to not step down from T20I captaincy. He added that he was informed about BCCI’s decision to remove him from ODI captaincy just one-and-a-half hour before the Test squad announcement for the South Africa tour.
“I informed BCCI about leaving T20I captaincy (ahead of the T20I World Cup 2021). It was well-received. I was never told that I should not leave the T20I captaincy. They took it as progressive thought. I told them I will continue as ODI captain and Test captain. I gave them the option if they don’t want me to continue as ODI captain I will quit. I told them at that point clearly that if the office bearers or the selectors don’t want me to handle either of the responsibility, I am fine with it. I said this clearly when I approached the BCCI to discuss my T20I captaincy,” Kohli said in the press conference.
Virat Kohli ‘drives’ away rumours suggesting he would miss South Africa ODIs
BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal and few others in the board had claimed that Kohli “needed a break” and would feature in the Test series only. Hinting towards Kohli’s sacking as the ODI captain, former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin on Tuesday said that timing of the right-hander’s ‘break’ could have been better.
Virat Kohli has informed that he’s not available for the ODI series & Rohit Sharma is unavailable fr d upcoming test. There is no harm in takin a break but d timing has to be better. This just substantiates speculation abt d rift. Neither wil be giving up d other form of cricket.
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) December 14, 2021
However, Virat Kohli has ‘driven’ these rumours through all the ‘sources’, saying that he is “always available for selection”.
“I am available for selection and was available for selection. You should not be asking these questions. You should be asking these to people who are writing these and their sources. As far as I am concerned, I am always available for selection. In the past, there was something said that I was. They are absolutely not credible. I am available for ODIs and I was always keen to play. As I said, this questions would be asked to people who are writing lies. My communication with the BCCI has not happened and I wanted to rest. Whatever was said, I was contacted 1-and-half hours before the meeting. There was no communication. The chief selector discussed the Test team. Before ending the call, I was told the five selectors told me I will not be ODI captain. Which is fine.”
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Virat Kohli ‘pulls’ question on rift Rohit Sharma, says ‘I am tired of explaining’
In his first interview with the BCCI after being appointed as India’s new white-ball captain, Rohit Sharma made was full of praises for Virat Kohli. The latter has expressed similar sentiments about Rohit in the past.
But, the relation between the two has been under constant scrutiny in the last 3-4 years. Kohli not publicly congratulating Rohit on his new role raised few eyebrows again. Those reports suggesting Kohli would miss the three ODIs, added fuel to the fire.
Virat Kohli hit a Rohitesque ‘pull’ on Thursday before declaring that he was “tired of explaining” his bond with the opener who has been ruled out of the Test series due to a hamstring injury.
“As I have said several times, we two have no problems. I am tired of explaining this every time. No communication of mine will be towards taking Indian cricket down,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli ‘straight bat’ answer on impact of leaving captaincy on his batting
Kohli, the only active batsman with 10000 plus ODI runs, gave a straight-forward answer when asked if he will get more time and energy to focus on his batting. The talismanic strokeplayer said the “motivation will not dip.”
“Well, I can’t say whether it will leave a positive impact on my batting. No one can predict these thing. I have taken a lot of pride in batting as a captain. I know that the motivation level will not dip at all.
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“As far as captaincy, I have been absolutely honest to the job. That’s my assessment of the limited-overs captaincy. You know how to perform and it’s just about understand these roles and making sure I perform to the best of the abilities.”
Virat Kohli Press Conference: Former ODI captain drives, cuts, pulls in style
