BCCI To Speak To Virat Kohli About ODI Captaincy Future: Sources To NDTV

Close on the heels of Rohit Sharma's appointment as India's new T20I captain, it is being heard that the BCCI top brass is going to have a conversation with Virat Kohli about the future of his captaincy in one-day internationals. Sources in the BCCI told NDTV that the board wants to relieve Kohli of the captaincy burden in limited-overs cricket so that he can focus on his batting and return to his dominant form. The sources further informed NDTV that the changes in Team India's ODI captaincy could be as soon as the bilateral series against South Africa, which begins from January 11, 2022. Rohit Sharma is expected to take over in the 50-over format too, with KL Rahul as his deputy.

As far as the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand is concerned, sources told NDTV that Virat Kohli has opted to rest for the 1st Test, which begins in Kanpur from November 25. The team will be led by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane in Kohli's absence. Sources further informed that Rohit Sharma will be rested for the two-match Test series against the Blackcaps as there is very little gap between the second Test match and the start of India's Test series in South Africa.

Rohit Sharma was named captain of the T20I team on Tuesday as the BCCI announced a 16-member squad for the 3-match series against New Zealand, which starts in Jaipur on November 17. 

India are scheduled to play three Test matches in South Africa, starting December 17. It will be followed by a three-match ODI and a four-match T20I series.

The Indian team has just returned from a disappointing campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup, where the Virat Kohli-led side failed to make it to the semi-final stage after losses to Pakistan and New Zealand.

Kohli was appointed captain of the limited overs sides in January 2017 after former captain MS Dhoni stepped aside from the role. He has been leading the Test team from the beginning of 2015. Kohli has led India in 95 ODIs and enjoys a 70 percent win rate with 65 wins and 27 losses, which is the best among captains who have led India in 90 or more matches. He is also India's most successful Test captain in terms of the number of matches won.

Kohli guided India to the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and the semi-final of the 2019 ICC World Cup, but has so far failed to win any silverware in global tournaments as captain.

Topics mentioned in this article

Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma KL Rahul Cricket India Cricket Team