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Xtra Time Web Desk : The BCCI Chief Selector Chetan Sharma on Friday in a press conference announed a 18 man Team India squad for the upcoming 3 match ODI Series against South Africa. But what stood out more in his press conference was his explosive comments about the white ball captaincy controversy revolving around Test skipper Virat Kohli and the board.


Earlier, Kohli had stated that he was 'not asked by anyone to continue with the T20I captaincy' in reply to the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly's comments about requesting the 33 year old to 'continue' as the skipper in the shortest format of the game.


And now opening up about the above controversy, the 55 year old Chief Selector in a press conference said, "When meeting started, it was a surprise for everybody. If the World T20 is round the corner and you hear something like this, what will be your reaction? Everyone present in that meeting had told him that he should think hard about his decision (to quit T20 captaincy) and we can talk about it after the World Cup. All selectors felt at that time that this can affect us in the World Cup. The convenors were there, board officials were there. Sabhi ne bola hai (everyone told him), Who won't tell you? If this news comes to you, you are in a shock. But since we had a World T20 to play, we never wanted it (decision) to affect team. He (Kohli) had his plans and we respect him. He is a pillar of the team and if he has taken a decision we respect it. But yes, everybody told him to think about it."


Now with Chetan Sharma's explosive comments on the white ball captaincy saga, it would be interesting to see if this plays a role in the upcoming South Africa series where Team India would be led by KL Rahul in Rohit Sharma's absence.