BCCI Questioned Over Virat Kohli’s Controversial Exit From Leadership

Following India’s dominant nine-wicket victory over Australia in the ODI series, discussions once again centered on Indian cricket’s two pillars—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players showcased strong performances in the final match, with Rohit scoring an unbeaten 121 and Kohli contributing a fluent 74 not out, securing a crucial match-winning partnership.

BCCI’s Mishandling of Kohli’s Transition

However, on The Bombay Sport Exchange podcast, sports analyst Shailendra Singh criticized the BCCI’s approach to Kohli’s transition from captaincy, stating, “You appointed Ravi Shastri as the coach, you appointed Virat Kohli as the captain, you let them run the show—and then suddenly you throw Virat out like he’s a fly in a cup of tea.” Singh emphasized that Kohli represents far more than just cricket talent, serving as an inspiration and uniting force for the country’s youth.

The analyst expressed concern that Indian cricket remained notably silent during this transition, highlighting a significant communication gap. He pointed out that the BCCI failed to properly utilize Kohli’s potential and influence during this critical phase.

Different Standards Required for Different Players

K Shriniwas Rao, Head of Content at Times Internet Sports, added that comparing Kohli and Sharma through the same lens is fundamentally unfair. He illustrated this point using Rohit’s fitness improvements as an example, arguing that when evaluating cricketers’ readiness for future tournaments like the 2027 World Cup, individual circumstances and benchmarks must differ.

Both analysts stressed that applying uniform standards to the two stalwarts overlooks their distinct roles and contributions to Indian cricket, calling for more nuanced handling by the BCCI going forward.