Reports: Virat Kohli proposed BCCI selection committee to remove Rohit Sharma as vice-captain due to age

If certain recent reports are anything to go by, Virat Kohli, who announced his decision to step down as Team India’s T20I skipper after the conclusion of the 2021 T20 World Cup, suggested the BCCI selection committee to remove his deputy Rohit Sharma from his position of India’s white-ball vice-captain.

It has been stated that Kohli wanted KL Rahul to be named India’s vice-captain in ODIs while Rishabh Pant in T20Is, owing to Rohit Sharma’s age who is 34 years old. Meanwhile, while announcing his decision of relinquishing T20I captaincy after the T20 World Cup, Kohli admitted in his post that it was a decision that took him “a lot of time” to make, while he consulted his “close people, Ravi bhai and also Rohit”.

“Of course, arriving at this decision took a lot of time. After a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people. Ravi [Shastri] bhai and also Rohit [Sharma], who have been an essential part of the leadership group, I’ve decided to step down as the T20 Captain after this T20 World Cup in Dubai in October. I have also spoken to the secretary Mr Jay Shah and the President of BCCI Mr Sourav Ganguly along with all the selectors about the same. I will continue to serve Indian Cricket and the Indian Team to the best of my ability.”

Beyond the ground, Kohli is literally incommunicado: BCCI source

“Virat knew that he would have been removed from white ball captaincy. If the team doesn’t do well at the UAE World T20, he was gone for good as far as white ball leadership is concerned. He just reduced a bit of pressure on himself as it would seem that he is there on his own terms. It might not happen for 50 overs if the performance in T20 hits a downward spiral,” a BCCI insider in the know of things was quoted as saying by Cricket Addictor.

The BCCI official also made claims that Virat Kohli is never available for communication. “In case of MS (Dhoni), his room would be open 24×7 and players could just walk in, play the PS4, have a meal and let their hair down and if required talk cricket… Beyond the ground, Kohli is literally incommunicado.”

“Rohit has shades of MSD but in a different manner. He takes the junior players out for meals, gives them a friendly pat on the back when they are down and knows the mental aspects of a player’s make-up inside out.”