Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India senior batsman Rohit Sharma is likely to replace Virat Kohli as the captain of India in white ball format after the T20 World Cup 2021 which is scheduled to start in UAE from next month. Kohli is currently India’s captain across formats having taken over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and becoming the limited-overs skipper in 2017.
According to a report in the Times of India, Kohli has shared his thoughts with the Indian team management in order to focus on his batting. As per the report, Kohli has had prolonged discussions with Rohit and the Indian team management over his decision to quit limited-overs captaincy and is expected to make the announcement himself in the coming months. As per BCCI sources, the current Indian captain wants to focus more on his batting.
Kohli has often been under the scanner over his leadership credentials in the limited-overs format as India are yet to win a major ICC trophy under him. Since he took over from Dhoni as the white-ball captain in 2017, India has failed to win a major ICC trophy. Under Kohli, India reached the final of the Champions Trophy in 2017 and semi-final of ODI World Cup in 2019 but failed to go the distance.
With a T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup lined up in the next couple of years, Kohli feels it’s the right time to step aside and let Rohit take charge. The move is certain to create tremendous buzz on social media and BCCI is prepared to ensure a smooth transition as both Kohli and Rohit are on the same page.
Meanwhile Rohit has led India on several occasions in the absence of Kohli in the past and also has two trophies to his name as captain of the Men in Blue. Rohit led India to Asia Cup victory in Dubai in 2018 and Nidahas Trophy victory in Sri Lanka in the same year. His record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain is exceptional having led Mumbai Indians to four titles.