'The loser is actually Indian Cricket' - Aakash Chopra opens up on BCCI-Virat Kohli controversy

The recent developments related to the captaincy of the Indian cricket team have shocked both the fans and former cricketers. Virat Kohli said several things during the press conference for the South Africa tour. All of his statements were contradictory to what BCCI had said in the past.

Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, raised this issue in his recent video on YouTube. He mentioned that at the end of the day, Indian cricket is suffering with these kinds of controversies. Several rumors going around the internet have tarnished the image of Indian cricket. Chopra also spoke against people who have been spreading rumors

“The question is not who is telling the truth and who is lying, who is right and who is wrong. The question is why this is happening because it is not about you and me, it’s not about him or the other guy, the fact is that the loser is actually Indian cricket.”

“I was slightly surprised. I was reading a line that truth can be stranger than fiction, that’s exactly how it has happened. Virat Kohli said he never asked for leave, the news had come that he had asked for leave even before Rohit Sharma was named the captain. I mean this is a communication breakdown. Who is doing this and why is somebody doing this?” he added.

Earlier, BCCI’s treasurer Arun Dhumal told media that Kohli had asked for a break long before BCCI decided to hand over the captaincy duties to Rohit Sharma. However, during the press conference, Kohli mentioned that he never asked for a break and will be playing the ODIs under Rohit’s captaincy in South Africa.

Kohli said that upon deciding to step down from the captaincy of the T20I side, he spoke with the BCCI about remaining captain for the ODI and Test sides. The decision to stick with Kohli was totally in the hands of the selectors. On this, Chopra stated-

“The second thing is the ODI captaincy, which actually left a sour taste in the mouth. When Kohli had released his statement, he had said that he is quitting the T20I captaincy but would want to continue being Test and ODI skipper. Captaincy is not a right but a privilege. You cannot take a privilege for granted, that it is your right.”

It is necessary to talk and not just inform: Aakash Chopra

Chopra feels that giving the ODI captaincy to Rohit might be a good decision for Indian cricket. However, the selectors and the board should have discussed this with Kohli, as Kohli mentioned that he was never part of the discussion.

“But when you are talking about one of the most successful captains of your country and you want to replace him as captain, which is absolutely fine, but it is necessary to talk and not just inform,” Chopra concluded.