Rohit Sharma

Speculations of Virat Kohli stepping down from the T20 and ODI captaincy have been floating in media for some time, with reports suggesting that the current captain wants to focus on his batting and thus will share leadership responsibilities with Rohit Sharma.

Quoting a report, cricketaddictor.com said on Thursday that, "Team India skipper Virat Kohli might have his captaincy on the line when he leads the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kohli has come under the scanner multiple times of late, particularly regarding his failure to win an ICC event despite having a strong squad."

Sharma, who has shored up India's top order by putting on strong opening wicket stands ever since he has joined the team as opener has scored seven half-centuries away from home in 22 Tests so far. Prior to the 83 on Thursday, Sharma's top score abroad was 79 against Sri Lanka in Colombo, made exactly six years ago in August 2015.

With 857 rating points, Kohli is only eight points behind Pakistan's prolific run-getter Babar Azam, who has enjoyed an extremely successful run against South Africa this year. Only two Indians figure in the top 10 of the ODI batting rankings, with opener Shikhar Dhawan placed 18th behind New Zealand's Martin Guptill on 706 points.

"As a bowler, when I go to him for advice, he always gives positive answers. Rohit always pushes the bowlers to do what their mind tells them to, irrespective of how the batsman is playing or his strong points," Shami said on Wednesday. "I think that is very important for the confidence of a fast bowler," he told India TV.

Only 30 runs separate the top three. Delhi Capitals opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan leads the run-getters' list with 231 runs. Dhawan is just 20 runs ahead of Rahul who has a total of 221 runs at an average of 55.25.

"Not enough runs, exactly. I still feel it is not a bad wicket to bat on. You can see how Kings (PBKS) won with nine wickets in hand. If you get 150-160, you are always in the game and that is something we have failed in the last two games. We need to look at that," said Sharma after the match.

The IPL said that the fine has been imposed as it was MI's first offence of the season. "As it was his team's first offence of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Mr Sharma was fined Rs 12 lakh," it said.

MI had got off to a decent start, reaching 67/1 in the seventh over. However, between the ninth and the 12th overs, they lost four wickets to lose track as DC managed to restrict them to 137/9 in 20 overs.

The MI skipper had provided a good start to his team along with Quinton de Kock but after the duo's dismissal, the remaining batsmen failed to get going. Only Kieron Pollard's late hitting took the team to 150/5 in 20 overs. "I think we can bat better in the middle overs. All these guys have played a lot of cricket on pitches like these. So, there are areas to work on," said Sharma after the match.