Three reasons Kohli had to quit as Test captain
VIRAT Kohli decided to fall on his own sword in relinquishing his Test captaincy of India as he was about to be sacked after losing the Test series 2-1 to South Africa.
This decision came within months after he opted to step down as India’s T20I skipper and was dismissed from a leadership role in ODIs.
IANS looks at some of the reasons why the hierarchy wanted Kohli to go as Test captain.
ONE: BCCI vs Kohli
There was a time when Kohli had absolute power in Indian cricket. During that period, BCCI was run by Supreme Court-constituted administrators and the duo of Kohli and then chief coach Ravi Shastri controlled the Indian cricket set-up.
Kohli’s form with the bat also backed his decisions. But times have changed and now with Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah at the helm, the star batter has lost that complete “power”.
The 33-year-old’s announcement came on the back of a recent saga between him and the BCCI, which started with his T20I captaincy resignation before the 2021 World Cup.
Last year in early December, the BCCI removed Kohli from the ODI captaincy, naming Rohit Sharma as the new whiteball leader.
A day later, Ganguly said that he had asked Kohli not to step down as T20I captain, but Kohli soon contradicted the BCCI chief, saying his decision to quit was received well by BCCI top officials and that he wasn’t told to reconsider his decision.
He even expressed his disappointment, saying he had been told about his removal as ODI captain just one-and-ahalf hours before the selection meeting to pick the Test squad for South Africa.
This became a major discussion point in the cricket world. And it was believed that the BCCI might take action against Kohli. However, as the Test series progressed, the issue got sidelined.
But the controversy stretched further when chief selector Chetan Sharma – while announcing the ODI squad for the South Africa tour on December 31 – said “Everyone who was present in the meeting asked him to reconsider his decision when Kohli stepped down as T20I captain.”
India won the first Test against the Proteas and the officials praised Kohli and his side. But after the second and third Tests, reports of removing Kohli as captain again gained momentum.
But before any further news, the captain announced his decision on Twitter.
TWO: Kohli & Co’s over-reaction and rant on stump mic
The Indian cricketers, including captain Kohli, came under fire after they reacted with dismay and anger when a decision against South Africa captain Dean Elgar was overturned on review at a crucial stage during the third Test in Cape Town. Kohli and his teammates did not mince words and they expressed their frustration over the decision.
On Day 3 of the Test, Elgar reviewed a decision off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin on the fourth delivery of the 21st over of South Africa’s inning, after being given out LBW by on-field umpire Marais Erasmus, and the decision was overturned in the Proteas skipper’s favour. As far as the replay is concerned, it showed the ball pitched in line and hit Elgar in the middle. However, quite mysteriously the trajectory of the ball showed that it was going over the legstump.
Even the umpire expressed his shock and was heard as saying “that is impossible” on the stump mic.
Moments later Ashwin said: “You should find better ways to win Supersport,” while an angry Kohli kicked the ground in disgust and then used the stump microphone to good effect and said “Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball, eh! Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.”
Vice-captain KL Rahul was also heard immediately afterward complaining “It’s the whole country against 11 guys,” while Ashwin also blasted the broadcaster. The whole on-field act divided the cricket fraternity – few criticised the cricketers while many termed it right. India were cautioned by Andy Pycroft, the match referee for the third Test, for Kohli and his teammates’ ire against host broadcaster SuperSport
Pycroft is believed to have told the Indian team management that the players’ behaviour was uncalled for and they could attract sanctions if such reactions are repeated. However, it has been confirmed that there was no reprimand or charges against the team.
THREE: ‘Kohli lost respect’
The revolt against Kohli started within the team early last year. According to sources, several senior players in the dressing room were miffed at his attitude.
A senior player had complained to BCCI secretary Jay Shah against Kohli for making him feel “insecure”.
Kohli had reportedly accused the senior cricketer of showing “no intent” during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton, UK.
“Kohli has lost respect and some of the players are not liking his attitude. He is no more an inspirational leader and he doesn’t earn the players’ respect. Some of them have reached their limits when it comes to dealing with him,” a report said.
■ India’s next Test assignment will be against Sri Lanka in a two-match series at home in February-March. | Ians
INDIA’S most successful Test captain, Virat Kohli, has stepped down as the skipper of the team. With Kohli at the helm, India won 48 of the 60 Test matches they played in the last seven years.
When the Indian team arrived in South Africa in December last year, they had every reason to believe they would triumph in the three-match series and become the first Indian side to do so.
They won the first match, dominating the batting and bowling.
But the South Africans came back strongly and won the second two games.
Kohli blamed his batsmen for the loss. But it was Kohli who lost his temper during the third Test match, and arguably the series.
Life can change in a moment and, for Kohli, that moment happened during the 21st over of the third and final Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling to Dean Elgar and appeared to have caught him leg-before-wicket. Elgar appealed and the video footage indicated the ball would not have hit the wicket. As a result, Elgar was not out.
Despite the evidence, Kohli was upset, really upset. He walked up to the mike on the stump and insinuated that something was amiss: “Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch the opposition all the time.”
This was not the first time Kohli had acted in such an immature manner. While some put his antics down to passion, others claim he is arrogant and brash.
Whatever the case, his behaviour was not in keeping with the spirit in which cricket is played, or Indian culture. Sadly, others in the Indian team mimicked his behaviour.
Kannur Lokesh Rahul, vice-captain of the limited overs format of the game, said: “The whole country is playing against 11 guys” while Ashwin said: “You should find better ways to win, SuperSport.”
India lost their way after the incident. According to Elgar, the South African captain, they “forgot about the game”.
There is no doubt that Kohli is a master of the game and has developed and inspired a new generation of cricketers.
There is also no doubt the emotions he has displayed on the field have often rallied his team to greater heights. But Kohli does not yet understand that in some situations a cool mind and logic work better.
Kohli has stepped down as captain of the team, but not from the game itself. With an average of more than 50 in Test cricket, he is likely to continue playing for his country. With less pressure, hopefully he will have more time to focus on calming his emotions. He owes it to his team and the millions of fans who hero worship him.