Team India skipper Virat Kohli last week decided to step down as the captain of India's white-ball team after the T20 World Cup. Ever since Kohli made the announcement, speculations are going on about the possible reasons behind the batsman’s decision. There has been no real clarity either, with multiple important people in the Indian Cricket board suggesting that Kohli wants to focus on his batting more and hence has decided to share the captaincy responsibility with vice-captain Rohit Sharma, who is on his way to lead the Indian cricket team in T20 competitions. Virat Kohli has been one of the most successful captains of the Indian team. In ODIs, he has captained the Indian team 95 times, winning 65, losing 27, and tying 1 time out of those. In the T20s, he has captained 45 times out of which team India won 29 matches while losing 14 matches. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma’s captaincy record has been another wonder to behold. Out of the 10 ODI matches he has captained, India won 8 of them. Meanwhile, out of the 19 T20 matches he captained India has won 15 matches.
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Here are 10 key points about Kohli’s decision to step down:
1. The most prominent reason that was speculated and later confirmed by BCCI insiders was that Kohli has been struggling with all the responsibility which is translating into his poor form on the pitch.
2. Meanwhile, one senior cricketer had spoken to secretary Jay Shah complaining about insecurity after the India captain had been critical of his “lack of intent” following the World Test Championship final in Southampton, The Telegraph India reported.
3. Kohli has been losing his temper easily and is becoming angrier at small things. Recently, one of the coaches offered some suggestions at nets but the captain shot back saying ‘don’t confuse me’. He’s just failed to handle it and it’s showing in his aggressive behaviour,” Telegraph reported quoting its source.
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4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s presence around the T20 world cup team has also suggested the loss of control Kohli is facing with the Indian cricket team. Dhoni will guide and act as a consultant while also monitoring the entire situation.
5. Kohli’s call to step down also eased the tough decisions that the BCCI would have had to make if things had turned out to be different. But by quitting only T20 leadership, Kohli has confused the BCCI over the captaincy of ODI format.
6. There is no clear roadmap insight for the BCCI. If India fails to clinch an ICC trophy, their first after 2013, the pressure to make Rohit the limited-overs captain is bound to grow manifold.
7. However, odds against Kohli will also turn if Rohit Sharma wins the T20 world cup which will be held next year. From players to coaches everyone will likely suggest Rohit as the limited over the captain, as he is seen as a bigger brother by those younger than him in the squad.
8. How Rohit adjusts to his fresh role will decide a lot of things. His first assignment will be the T20Is against New Zealand at home in November-December.
9. If Virat’s leadership skills are found to fall short of desired levels when it comes to team selection and strategy, he may have to give up his seat of power.
10. Kohli has not scored a century for almost two years. The 32-year-old has now gone 53 innings without an International hundred, across formats. This has been taking a toll on him due to which he has been struggling overall.
