BCCI To Sit With Virat And Rohit, Figure Out Way Forward After SA Series: Report

Several media reports suggest that Virat Kohli has asked BCCI for a break from the ODI series citing 'personal reasons', in which Rohit Sharma will captain India.

New Delhi: There are constant reports of a clash between team India's senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli over the ODI and Test captaincy of the national team. The Indian team is slated to fly to South Africa in next few days, where they will play a series of three Tests and as many ODIs.

BCCI had announced a 18-member Test team for South Africa tour and with that it was also announced that senior opener Rohit Sharma has replaced Virat Kohli as India's ODI skipper.

Several media reports suggest that Virat Kohli has asked BCCI for a break from the ODI series citing 'personal reasons', in which Rohit will captain India.

A Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official told InsideSport that whatever is happening in the team at the moment is not right and talks will be held with both the captains after the South African tour.

“Virat has obviously not taken it lightly (removing him from ODI captaincy). He has opted out for family reasons but nobody is naive. What’s happening is completely unacceptable,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport on Tuesday.

Ever since BCCI named Rohit Sharma as India's ODI captain, controversy erupted. Virat had said before the T20 World Cup 2021 that he would leave the T20 captaincy after the tournament, while remaining the captain of the ODI and Test teams.

However, BCCI had some other plans as they not only made Rohit the 'only' white-ball captain but also elevated him as vice-captain of India's Test team.

“After the South Africa tour, we will sit with both captains and figure out the way forward. Removing him from ODI captaincy was for the team’s own good and Virat should not have reacted selfishly. He has contributed so much for the team and has always put the team first. It is very unfortunate what is happening,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport on Tuesday.