KOHLI TAKES DHONI’S PLACE, YUVRAJ BACK
Virat Kohli was formally appointed as the skipper of the ODI and T20 team as selectors chose to look back recalling Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra and also blooded in a youngster in the form of Rishabh Pant in the T20 squad.
Karnataka batsman K.L. Rahul was included in both formats in place of injured Mumbai batsman Rohit Sharma. Shikhar Dhawan was also recalled in ODIs in place of Mandeep Singh. Mandeep however made it to the T20 squad. Suresh Raina failed to make it to ODI squad yet again but was retained for Twenty20 matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who didn’t feature during the New Zealand ODI series also were included in both formats. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play only as keeper-batsman.
New Delhi, Jan. 6: Virat Kohli, who is all set to take over as the Indian captain across all formats paid glowing tributes to his predecessior Mahendra Singh Dhoni for being an inspirational leader and terming him “captain forever”.
Kohli on Friday took to twitter to express his feelings about the captain under whom he has played all along in the limited overs format since making his debut back in 2008.
“Thanks for always being the leader a youngster wants to have around him. You’ll always be my captain @msdhoni Bhai,” Kohli tweeted.
Cricketers across the globe including the likes of Michael Clarke, Michael Vaughan, Shahid Afridi and Zaheer Abbas have all spoke highly about the impact that Dhoni had on Indian cricket during his tenure as captain.
Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and ‘A’ team coach Rahul Dravid also termed the timing as perfect.
— PTI