India can’t have Virat Kohli say one thing and BCCI another: Sandeep Patil on T20 captaincy debate

Former national selector Sandeep Patil feels there has been a communication gap between India captain Virat Kohli and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the former’s decision to step down as the skipper in T20I cricket.

Kohli has decided to relinquish as post as the captain in the shortest format after the T20 World Cup in November citing workload management. Vice-captain Rohit Sharma is expected to take over the reigns.

“It seems that there’s a big communication gap between BCCI and Virat. You can’t have Virat say one thing and the BCCI another. This is purely Virat’s decision, and the BCCI should just accept it,” Patil, a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning side, told Times of India.

Patil, who led the BCCI’s selection committee from 2012 to 2016, backed Rohit as the best candidate to take over the captaincy from Kohli.

“Virat has been a true asset for Indian Cricket and has led with aplomb. He is one of the most successful captains in all the formats. The decision has been made keeping in mind the future roadmap.

“We thank Virat for his tremendous performance as the T20I Captain. We wish him all the best for the upcoming World Cup and beyond and hope that he continues to score plenty of runs for India,” he said.

Kohli will be chasing his maiden ICC trophy as captain once again when India begin their campaign in the T20 World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on October 24.