‘He could have done it after the tournament’ – Gautam Gambhir criticises Virat Kohli for stepping down as RCB skipper amidst IPL 2021

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir reckoned that Virat Kohli could’ve timed his decision of stepping down as Royal Challengers Bangalore’s skipper in a better manner. On Sunday, September 19, the 32-year-old Kohli took the call, but also pledged to play for the Challengers until his retirement from the game.

Gambhir, who played his last IPL match in 2018, stated that Kohli’s decision in between the IPL 2021 can unsettle RCB, who have won five out of seven matches thus far. Gambhir, the two-time IPL-winning skipper, also opined that Kohli’s decision can put unnecessary pressure on the players in the second leg of the T20 league.

Why would you want to put that extra pressure on the players? Gautam Gambhir

“Yes, it does (the timing of the decision surprises me). Just before the 2nd leg of the tournament. If you want to do that, you probably do it after the tournament. Because it makes the team unsettled and emotional as well,” Gambhir told on Star Sports.

“They are in a very good position. Why would you want to put that extra pressure, probably push your players to probably do it for Virat. You don’t want to win it for individuals, you want to win it for the franchise. If he had to do it, he could have done it after the tournament as well,” he said.

Gambhir, however, lauded Kohli for taking the brave call and hoped for RCB to not get carried away by emotions in the second half of the tournament.

“Stepping down and retirement are two decisions which are very individual. He has taken a brave decision but it’s going to be an emotional moment. Probably, the players and the franchise don’t get emotional and continue to play the way they were playing in this season,” Gambhir added.

Back in 2013, Kohli was appointed as the skipper of the franchise, but he hasn’t been able to lead his team to an IPL trophy. Although he remains the all-time highest run-scorer in the IPL, Kohli has often been criticised for his captaincy.

RCB are scheduled to play their next game in IPL 2021 against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, September 20 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.