"Didn't Remove Virat Kohli From Captaincy": Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, Says "He Wasn't..."

05.12.2023 - 12:11 sports.ndtv.com

Last year, Indian cricket saw a very controversial episode as Virat Kohli stepped down from Test captaincy. The manner in which Virat Kohli's captaincy stint in the Indian team ended left a lot of questions.

While the talismanic batter had himself decided to leave India's T20 captaincy, he was subsequently not persisted with in the ODI format also.

Not long after, Kohli announced the decision to step down as the team's Test skipper too. Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly was at the helm of the BCCI as president when Virat Kohli resigned.

Many reports claimed that he played a big role in Virat Kohli's removal. However, he has said now that he had no role to play in it. "I didn't remove Virat from captaincy.

cricket India Cricket Team Virat Kohli Sourav Ganguly India

Cricket is a team sport, but yet every day, every month and every year, we find some select faces who stand out in a crowd of hundreds of players out there representing their national flag on the pitch. 2023 was no different. While the year will be remembered for Australia completing a three-peat of ICC World Test Championship, The Ashes and ICC Cricket World Cup, India's dominant run at home that concluded with heartbreak of a World Cup final loss, the aggression of South African cricket team, England's 'Bazball' school of Test cricket and failing down of old, World Cup winning empires like Sri Lanka, England and West Indies, certain individuals caught the eye of fans with their performances. Let us look at some of the best players of this year:

Watch: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Sweat It Out In Nets Ahead Of 1st Test vs South Africa

India's veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli sweated it out in companionable silence in the nets during team's practice session on Sunday. India will be aiming for their maiden Test series win in South Africa when they take on the Proteas in a two-match series, starting December 26. There's a 31-year jinx in Indian cricket having missed out on a Test series win in the 'Rainbow Nation' and in the twilight zone of their careers, both Rohit and Kohli would want to achieve which no other Indian teams could.

From Rohit Sharma's Sense Of Humour To Virat Kohli's Return, Inside Details From India's Net Session

It has now been more than a month since the forgettable World Cup final but it still hurts like hell. However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two battle-hardened professionals who know that it's important to move on as they sweated it out in companionable silence. There's a 31-year jinx in Indian cricket having missed out on a Test series win in the 'Rainbow Nation' and in the twilight zone of their careers, both would want to achieve which no other Indian teams could. While Kohli, who came back from London after a short break with family, joined the training after half an hour, Rohit did look a bit more relaxed after shutting himself off for three weeks.

Shubman Gill To Not Open, Virat Kohli At No. 4: Sunil Gavaskar Picks India XI For 1st Test Against South Africa

Legendary Indian cricket team Sunil Gavaskar picked the playing XI for the first Test match against South Africa starting December 26 in Centurion and there were a couple of massive changes in the batting order. Gavaskar picked Rohit Sharma and youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal as the openers with Shubman Gill coming out to bat at No.3.and Virat Kohli at No. 4. KL Rahul was his wicket-keeper pick with Shreyas Iyer accompanying him in the middle order. Gavaskar said that both Rahul and Shreyas are good batters and it will depend on the situation to decide who bats at No. 5 and who comes out at No. 6.

"Fourth Stump Channel And...": To Dismiss Virat Kohli In Tests, South Africa Great Prescribes This To Home Pacers

When it comes to tackling the peerless Virat Kohli, Fannie De Villiers wants the South African team to play the waiting game in the upcoming Test series. The former South Africa pacer told PTI: "Only way to get a Virat Kohli kind of batter out is a very orthodox way of bowling on the fourth stump channel and play a waiting game. And wait for that one delivery which nips a bit far away. You can't attack a good player."

"Pressure Will Be On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma...": Gautam Gambhir's Warning 'If Batters Don't Put Runs' vs South Africa

As India eye a first Test series win in South Africa, former opener Gautam Gambhir feels the pressure will be star batter Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma. India have never won a Test series in South Africa, but came close to doing so during their last tour. After winning the first Test, India conceded the series 2-1, with Kohli missing the second Test due to an injury. Gambhir reckons the onus will be on Rohit and Kohli to deliver the goods with the bat for India, adding that the star batters can take the pressure of the Indian bowlers on tricky South African conditions.