Former India head coach Madan Lal said that the 'rift' over the ODI captaincy between Virat Kohli and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is just a matter of opinion and not a controversy.

However, the 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer believes that Sourav Ganguly, as the BCCI President, should come out and provide an explanation after Kohli's explosive press conference concerning his white-ball captaincy earlier this week.

He also slammed the Indian selectors for not handling the situation properly, saying it is their duty to stop these controversies from breaking out in public.

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Mentionworthy, Kohli was removed as India’s ODI captain earlier this month without any early intimation, but BCCI President Ganguly had claimed that he had discussed the leadership change with the Test skipper and even requested him not to give up the T20I captaincy.

Well, Kohli shocked one and all by revealing that he was never asked to stay as India’s T20I captain and even was informed about his sacking as ODI captain one and a half hours before the formal call.

Madan Lal told ANI: “I think this situation should have been handled in a better way because it is not a controversy but a matter of opinion. I don't know what Sourav had said to Virat so I don't want to comment on that. But I think that Sourav being the President should come out and give an explanation and that will be the end of the entire issue. We need to be focused on the South Africa tour right now as it is an important game for us.”

He also agreed with Sunil Gavaskar that Kohli should clear the issue with management. He also felt there was no communication between Kohli and the selectors over the issue.

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Lal signed off by saying, “Gavaskar is correct with his point. Virat should clear all his issues with the management. This is not a big matter. I would say that the selectors should have handled the situation better. It is the duty of selectors to look after and stop these controversies. I am not sure if the selectors spoke to Virat before taking the decision.”

(With ANI Inputs)