The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, May 16: A fresh media report has stirred the cricketing world with claims that Virat Kohli’s shock retirement from T20 Internationals might have been triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s sudden change in captaincy decisions — not just personal planning.
Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from T20Is following India’s victorious run in the T20 World Cup, had said the decision was based on his long-term workload management and the desire to focus on ODIs and Tests. However, a report by a leading sports news outlet suggests there may have been more behind the scenes than what was publicly stated.
According to the report, Kohli was initially in contention to lead India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, but the BCCI allegedly changed its stance at the last moment — a move that reportedly didn’t sit well with the star batter.
An unnamed source quoted in the report claims, “Virat was mentally prepared to captain in the T20 World Cup, having been in talks with key officials. But the board’s sudden pivot in leadership plans left him disappointed.”
The report suggests that this abrupt shift in the board’s strategy could have influenced Kohli’s eventual decision to step away from T20Is altogether, despite still being in peak form and a fan favorite.
While the BCCI has not officially responded to the report, the development has reignited public debate over Kohli’s past clashes with the board, especially following his removal as ODI captain in late 2021, which had similarly sparked controversy and media speculation at the time.
Kohli, one of India’s most successful captains and among the highest run-scorers in all formats, had stepped down from T20I captaincy in 2021, citing workload. He was later removed from ODI captaincy as well, and Rohit Sharma was appointed as the all-format leader. Since then, there has been consistent buzz about tensions between Kohli and the cricket board, though both parties have maintained a public stance of mutual respect.
With Kohli now out of the T20I setup, fans have expressed mixed emotions — pride in his achievements and concern over whether administrative decisions have prematurely ended a chapter in his T20 career.
As speculation continues, cricket enthusiasts await an official statement or clarification from either Kohli or the BCCI to bring clarity to the explosive claims.
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