India’s batting superstar, Rohit Sharma has been named as India’s new T20I and ODI captain, succeeding Virat Kohli who will now lead the Indian side in the longest format of the game. Virat Kohli led team India in all the formats until the T20 World Cup 2021 last month, following which the T20I captaincy role went to fellow batter Rohit Sharma.
The decision of Rohit replacing Virat Kohli was taken by the Indian selectors. Virat Kohli, who had a terrific average of 72.65 with over 5,000 runs in ODIs with 21 centuries as captain in 95 games, will go down in the history of this game as the most prolific record by a captain. However, on Wednesday, without detailing the reasons, the BCCI only said that the All-India selectors had “decided” Rohit should take charge of the ODI and T20I teams “going forward”. Yes, you read that right.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in an official release made the big announcement. The BCCI wrote:
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Mr Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward,”
The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Mr Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward.#TeamIndia | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/hcg92sPtCa
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2021
ICC also hailed BCCI’s decision to appoint Rohit Sharma as the captain in the limited over format and called it the beginning of a new era. The ICC wrote:
“Virat Kohli – Rohit Sharma. Beginning of a new era for India men’s limited-overs cricket.”
Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma
Beginning of a new era for India men’s limited-overs cricket. pic.twitter.com/5yo9Jdj4U2
— ICC (@ICC) December 8, 2021
Meanwhile, ever since the news came out, social media was flooded with reactions from the netizens to it. From cricketers, pundits to experts, everyone took to Twitter and reacted to the big news. However, a section of fans was left disappointed with the BCCI and started slamming them for removing Virat Kohli from the captaincy position.
While some felt it was too early to take this decision, on the other hand, there were many who felt BCCI owes an explanation to the fans. Fans are slamming the BCCI left, right, and center for taking this bold decision.
Here, check out the reactions of fans:
Don’t think today was the day to sack Kohli as ODI captain, when the squad has not been named yet. For someone who won 65 of 95 games in charge, you could do this better.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 8, 2021
Not here to comment on whether or not it was the right decision. How good or bad a captain Kohli was has no relevance here. It’s about a cricket board casually replacing a captain of nearly 5 years with a one-liner at the end of an email. How shitty is that? #bcci #ViratKohli
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 8, 2021
Virat Kohli is the greatest y’all will ever have, you ungrateful people
— Sritama Panda (Ross Taylor’s Version) (@cricketpun_duh) December 8, 2021
Best batting average as ODI captain:
Kohli – 72.65(95 matches,SR 98.3)
ABD – 63.94(101 matches,SR 110.5)
MSD – 53.55(200 matches,SR 86.2)
Kane – 49.56(77 matches,SR 79.2)
Mathews – 45.97(106 matches,SR 84.9)Averaging 70+ for 100 matches vth ~100SR ?
Absolute Beast @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/30ZyU3sVxN
— 17 (@varun_rayudu) December 8, 2021
If BCCI think that this is the way to win the next 2-3 ICC titles then so be it, but it’s not going to be it. Not when you disrespect Virat Kohli
— Sritama Panda (Ross Taylor’s Version) (@cricketpun_duh) December 8, 2021
Virat Kohli as a captain won the:
– ODI & T20 series in SA
– ODI & T20 series in NZ
– ODI & T20 series in AUS
– T20 series in ENGOnly Asian captain to achieve this.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 8, 2021
I know the trophy drought has been long for Indian cricket but Virat Kohli took over ODI captaincy only in 2017.
— Prashanth S (@ps_it_is) December 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/KollyfiedGal/status/1468602614308687875?s=20
It hurts , he really deserved a trophy to be very honest ?
But anyways Thank You Captain Kohli !
I fell in love with batsman Kohli , and I’ll always love him , can’t wait for you to peak again @imVkohli !!!— Yashvi (@BreatheKohli) December 8, 2021
Just came here to say…
The current @BCCI managed by a nepotism product and an ex-cricketer who can’t manage shit, is the most ungrateful cricket board ever.
I just hope Rohit Sharma doesn’t get the same treatment as Virat Kohli if he fails to bring a World Cup home.
— Jaanvi? (@ThatCric8Girl) December 8, 2021
Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s Old Tweet Shows How Far He Has Come In His Life