'The Writing Was On The Wall, Honestly': Fans & Ex-Players Divided On Virat Kohli's Demotion As ODI Captain

The fans are divided on the issue of Virat Kohli discontinuing as captain. Some are also pointing out at the 'defeaning silence' of former cricketers. Check out the reactions below.

Cricket world divided on the Kohli's demotion as India's skipper. (Image: AFP)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Rohit Sharma as India's captain in limited-overs cricket till ICC World Cup 2023. Notably, the BCCI did not announce any update about Virat Kohli stepping down as captain of ODIs. 

The cricket world seems divided on the appointment of Rohit Sharma as India's permanent ODI captain. More so, after reports come in about Virat Kohli allegedly not willing to step down as captain. 

The fans are divided on the matter, with some siding with Rohit Sharma, given his excellent record as Mumbai Indians captain, while the others felt Virat Kohli deserved to stay as India's captain. Some are also pointing out at the 'defeaning silence' of former cricketers. 

The fact that no big face from cricket fraternity is speaking up is very disturbing rn.

Don't like this silence.

— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) December 9, 2021

Here are some of the reactions by ex-cricketers and experts: 

However great a player Virat Kohli is, this is the time to reach out to him. It is inevitable he will feel a sense of loss. It is always tricky with two captains when both are playing all formats and it is critical Dravid, Kohli and Rohit are comfortable and have a common vision

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 8, 2021

Very good decision 👍 https://t.co/MD9WzFOc5t

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 8, 2021

Writing was on the wall…to be honest, it makes sense too

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 9, 2021

It was a little unusual not to see a lot of tweets and reactions coming from cricketers who are usually expressing their opinion on everything cricket. Meanwhile, the fans are at it as some of them feel that Virat Kohli has faced 'injustice'. 

Well, the numbers support the claims of these fans as Kohli has the fourth-highest win record as ODI captain and the highest batting average as a captain.

Here are some of the tweets from fans:

This is how India treats Virat Kohli and Look at how NZ treats Kane Williamson#ShameonBcci pic.twitter.com/h9cx8mAndc

— Gaurav🕊️ (@Kohli4ever) December 9, 2021

The fcking disrespect to an all time great. 15 hrs post announcement not even a thank you tweet to a captain who has captained Lois in the last 5 years, 3rd most win % in odi history. Deseved way better#ShameonBCCI pic.twitter.com/TeJAvVhLo1

— A (@_shortarmjab_) December 9, 2021

A beautiful tale of redemption by the great Rohit Sharma !! pic.twitter.com/jtG9GQ0kDs

— YASHॐ (@Rohit4everr) December 9, 2021

“ I FEEL I NEED TO GIVE MYSELF SPACE TO BE FULLY READY TO LEAD THE INDIAN TEAM IN TEST AND ODI CRICKET ” - Virat Kohli .
• god , the guy clearly stated it in his t20 resignation letter but see the amount of injustice he faced now 🙂💔

— s🧣/kohli🤍 (@iamautumnspark) December 8, 2021

There was a mixed response from fans but a lot of them are rooting for Virat Kohli. Nonetheless, Kohli will still very much be a part of India's ODI squad. 

A PTI report claims that Virat Kohli was given 48 hours by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to voluntarily step down as captain and give the long-standing captain "an honourable exit route". Virat Kohli did not comply and by the 49th hour, he was sacked as captain, the report claims.