Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra feels that controversy between Virat Kohli and BCCI would not affect Team India’s performance in South Africa. India is scheduled to play three Tests and three ODIs in the rainbow nation from December 26.
Ever since BCCI sacked Virat Kohli as the Indian ODI skipper and made Rohit Sharma the new white-ball captain, it has given rise to many controversies.
Virat Kohli-BCCI saga saw the twist after the Indian Test skipper revealed that there was no prior communication and he was informed one and a half hours before the BCCI released an official statement of announcing Rohit Sharma as the white-ball captain.
What made Kohli’s press-conference shocking was that his statements didn’t match with what Sourav Ganguly said. The BCCI President said that he personally requested the Indian Test skipper to not give up the T20I captaincy but the latter denied it.
With the first Test match set to begin from 26th December, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that controversy between BCCI and Virat Kohli won’t make a difference as Team India is a professional team and will do well in South Africa.
"I am sure it (the controversy) won't make a difference. India is a professional team. They will do well in South Africa," Aakash Chopra said in a video
Chopra remarked that the situation could’ve been handled in a better way. He remarked that although the governing body doesn’t need to ask before removing someone as captain, they’ve could’ve acknowledged that Virat Kohli has done very well as a captain and could’ve communicated that they are moving ahead.
"It could have definitely been handled better, let's be very very honest. There are a lot of things that could have been better where they could have asked or had a discussion. You don't actually need to ask when you are removing someone as a captain.
“You just need to tell but it could have been handled a little better, that you acknowledge that the captain has done very well but now you are moving ahead and all of that. That communication could have happened,” he said.
Aakash Chopra further said that Virat Kohli should’ve directly talked to BCCI officials, who could’ve also done the same thing as washing dirty linen in public is never a great thing.
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"Virat Kohli could have also picked up the phone and spoken to them, everyone whose statements he didn't like because it was not only sources but it came from the horse's mouth, there were BCCI officials in that. So let's discuss between the two of us like grown-up adults and the BCCI officials could have also done the same thing. Washing dirty linen in public is never a great thing,” he said.
India’s tour of South Africa will kick start with the Boxing Day Test from December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion followed by the second Test at Wanderers, Johannesburg from January 3 to 7. The final Test will take place in Newlands, Cape Town from January 11 to 15.
After that, both teams will play each other in the three-ODI series, which will be played from 19th January to 23rd January.
