'Don’t know what he is talking about' - BCCI official on Virat Kohli's 'lack of support' remark

Virat Kohli finally returned to his usual best with back-to-back fities in the ongoing 2022 Asia Cup in UAE. He smashed 60 runs off 44 balls against Pakistan in India's first Super 4 fixture at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday (September 4). He is second in the leading run-scorer's chart in the tournament with 154 runs in three matches.

This big change in form has been a big boost for India and the player himself, as India need wins in the remaining two matches in the Super 4 stage. Meanwhile, Kohli, while speaking with reporters after the India-Pakistan match, stated that only MS Dhoni contacted him after he stepped down from the captaincy duties in red-ball cricket last year. 

The 33-year-old batter also stated that many supported him publicly but no one contacted him directly to show their support. There were plenty of speculations regarding a rift between him and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The player missed considerable matches after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2022 season, fueling more rumors about his relationship with the board and management.

BCCI Official replies to Kohli's 'lack of support' claim

"When I left Test captaincy, I only received a message from one person and I have played with that person in the past. That person is MS Dhoni, anyone else did not message me. Many people have my number, and there are many people who give me suggestions on the TV," Kohli revealed after the India-Pakistan match on Sunday.

However, as per recent reports, a BCCI official has stated that Kohli always had the backing of everyone at the board. He also stated that BCCI granted him breaks and rests in recent times and he doesn't understand about what the player has been complaining about.

“Virat has had the backing of everyone. From his teammates to everyone at the BCCI. To say that he did not get the support, is not true. He was granted a break to rejuvenate, he got frequent rest. Even everyone at BCCI wished him on social media when he stepped down from Test captaincy. So, I don’t know what he is talking about,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.