Reports: Rohit Sharma wasn't ready to take T20I captaincy alone, demanded to take charge of both white-ball formats

In what can be called a major development, Rohit Sharma kept a condition in front of the selectors that he would not take up just the T20 captaincy. He would accept the leadership role only if the entire white-ball responsibility was entrusted to him. Meanwhile, the veteran opener has finaly replaced Virat Kohli as India’s ODI skipper as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (December 8).

It was indeed a shocking decision as Kohli, who stepped down as India’s T20I captain post the T20 World Cup last month, had said that he will continue leading the national team in the other two formats. However, he was stripped off as ODI skipper ahead of the team’s upcoming tour of South Africa. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had revealed that the selectors wanted one skipper for ODIs and T20Is. Hence, the charge was given to Rohit.

“We had requested Virat not to step down as T20 captain but he didn’t want to continue as captain. So, the selectors felt that they cannot have two white-ball captains in two white-ball formats. That’s too much of leadership,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. A bit contrary to Ganguly’s claim, Cricbuzz Plus reported that it was Rohit, who kept the condition of taking over the charge both ODIs and T20Is.

Rohit Sharma enjoys leading the team

As per reports, Rohit was having a batting session at the in Mumbai along with Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane around the time the selectors met to appoint him as the ODI skipper. He might not have known about the time of the meetings. However, he had earlier intimated that ODI captaincy should be given to him if the selectors want him to lead the T20I side.

Meanwhile, Rohit, the only captain with five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, enjoys the leadership responsibilities. He has also done well while leading the national team in the past in Kohli’s absence. In fact, Rohit, after taking India to the 2018 Asia Cup triumph, had openly said that he’s ready to take the charge in full-time basis.

“Absolutely… we have just won, so I am ready. Whenever the opportunity comes, I will be ready,” he had said after the triumph in Dubai. Kohli had taken a break for that tournament.