Page 46 - The Indian EYE 091721

SPORTS SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 | The Indian Eye 46

tributes pour in as Virat kohli decides

to leave white-ball games captaincy

Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli feels opening batsman Rohit Sharma will be India’s

skipper in the T20Is after the 2021 World Cup

Our Bureau

Dubai

ndia skipper Virat Kohli has decided
to step down from T20I captaincy after
Ithe ICC T20 World Cup in November
this year. Kohli explained his decision to
leave the T20I captaincy in a statement on
Twitter. The India skipper said he needs to
give himself space in order to play all three
formats for the country. “I have been for-
tunate enough to not only represent India
but also lead the Indian Cricket Team to my
utmost capability. I thank everyone who has
supported me in my journey as the Captain
of the Indian Cricket Team,” Kohli said in a
statement.

“I couldn’t have done it with-

out them -- the boys, the support Virat Kohli
staff, the selection committee, my
India (BCCI) on Thursday announced a true asset for Indian Cricket and has led
coaches, and each and every Indi- that while Virat Kohli has decided to step with aplomb. He is one of the most success-
an who prayed for us to win" down as captain of the T20I side after the ful captains in all the formats,” Ganguly
upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, he said in a BCCI statement.
will continue to be available for selection “The decision has been made keeping
“Understanding workload is a very for the T20 format post the upcoming ICC in mind the future roadmap. We thank Vi-
important thing and considering my im- event in 2021, which is hosted by the BCCI rat for his tremendous performance as the
mense workload over the last 8-9 years in U.A.E. and Oman. T20I captain. We wish him all the best for
playing all 3 formats and captaining regu- “We have a clear roadmap for Team In- the upcoming World Cup and beyond and
larly for last 5-6 years, I feel I need to give dia. Considering the workloads and ensur- hope that he continues to score plenty of
myself space to be fully ready to lead the ing that we have smooth transition, Virat runs for India,” he added.
Indian Team in Test and ODI Cricket. I Kohli has decided to step down as T20I cap- Former England skipper Michael
have given everything to the Team during tain after the upcoming World Cup. I have Vaughan on Thursday termed Virat Kohli’s
my time as T20 Captain and I will contin- been in discussions with Virat and the lead- decision to leave T20I captaincy after the
ue to do so for the T20 Team as a batsman ership team for the last six months and the 2021 T20 World Cup as an “unselfish” one.
moving forward,” he added. decision has been thought through. Virat After Virat Kohli announced to step
Kohli said he arrived at his decision af- will continue to contribute as a player and down as India’s T20I skipper after the up-
ter discussing with head coach Ravi Shas- as a senior member of the side in shaping coming World Cup, Cricket analyst Ayaz
tri and opening batsman Rohit Sharma. the future course of Indian cricket,” BCCI Memon lauded the captain’s decision.
“Of course, arriving at this decision took Secretary Jay Shah said. Kohli explained Ayaz Memon said Kohli could have
a lot of time. After a lot of contemplation his decision to leave the T20I captaincy in “easily” taken out the time before making
and discussions with my close people, a statement on Twitter. The India skipper the call but he has taken a stand and this
Ravi bhai and also Rohit, who have been said he needs to give himself space in order thing is “admirable”. “Virat Kohli announc-
an essential part of the leadership group, to play all three formats for the country. ing that he is going to step down as the T20I
I’ve decided to step down as the T20 Cap- Former India skipper Ganguly termed captaincy after the T20 World Cup in the
tain after this T20 World Cup in Dubai in Kohli a “true asset” for Indian cricket and UAE was a surprise yet it wasn’t. Stories
October,” said Kohli. said the decision has been made keeping in were swirling around the BCCI looking
The Board of Control for Cricket in mind the future roadmap. “Virat has been Continued on next page... >>

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