"BCCI made a mistake, not good for Indian cricket": Rashid Latif not in favour of how Indian Cricket Board handled Virat Kohli's issue
Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif realised the change of guard in Indian cricket wouldn't mistakenly cost it's brand name since the country already has enormous wide range of talent.
The BCCI recently removed Virat Kohli as ODI skipper and later the star batter announced quitting leadership in Tests as well. Last year he had already quit T20 captaincy. These recent controversies put the Indian cricket in poor picture. However Latif said, none of it should adversely affect the Indian cricket.
"They have a strong base in the IPL and Indian cricket is now established as financially very strong so eventually I don't think these recent changes or happenings should have any bearing on Indian cricket as a brand," Latif said.
"I think a lot now depends on how Rohit Sharma handles the team but he has his own style of leading the side and he has already achieved a lot with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
"It remains to be seen how motivated he will be to captain in Tests. Kohli brought energy and purpose to his captaincy and team." Latif though felt the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) erred in removing Kohli as captain of the One-day team.
He further said, ""I think it was a case of having handled things the wrong way and no way of going back as well. I know from personal experience having gone through it myself that in such a situation when a long-serving captain decides to step down or is removed it is never possible that he would not have had discussions with the board top officials."
"When I stepped down as captain in 2004 it was only after I spoke with our board chairman. That is why I am saying I think the BCCI has made a mistake in the way it handled this particular issue. It is not good for Indian cricket." The former wicketkeeper-batsman said it was never easy to change a captain who has been around there as a leader for so many years.
"When you have someone as a leader for five years or more and so successful as captain that obviously they are people in the team who are loyal to him and it does disturb the dressing room environment.” Latif said that India's defeats in South Africa were a result of the uncertain environment in the Indian team. The team lost both the Test and ODI series.
"I am not saying anyone deliberately didn't want to perform, every professional wants to do well but when the environment in a team changes it does affect the players in many ways."
