Virat Kohli Press Conference Today Highlights

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held a press conference featuring Indian Test captain Virat Kohli ahead of the team’s departure to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs starting December 26 onwards.

The press conference saw Virat Kohli quashing many rumours of reported articles suggesting a rift between him and Rohit Sharma, who has been appointed as the new ODI and T20I captain of the Indian side and the new Test vice-captain as well.

Furthermore, he shared light on how he was not given any prior communication by the BCCI selection panel that he was being removed as the ODI captaincy as well after quitting as T20I captain after the T20 World Cup 2021. In fact, Kohli said that he was told of the development just one and a half hours before it was announced.

“I was contacted one-and-a-half hours before the selection meeting on December 8 for the Test series,” Kohli said. “There was no prior communication to me at all from when I announced the T20I captaincy decision until the eighth (of December), when I got a call before the selection meeting.

The chief selector [Chetan Sharma] discussed with me the Test team to which we both agreed, and before ending the call I was told the five selectors have decided I will not be the ODI captain, to which I replied, ‘okay, fine’. And in the selection call afterwards, we chatted about it briefly. That’s what happened. There was no communication prior to that at all,” Kohli said during the presser.

Kohli had shown inclination towards continuing as the ODI and Test captain with a desire to lead the team in the 2023 ODI World Cup which will be held completely in India.

My Decision To Quit T20I Captaincy Was Well Received By BCCI: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli had dropped a bombshell by announcing that he’ll step down as India’s T20I captain after the T20 World Cup 2021 before the tournament began. He revealed during the presser that his decision was well received by the BCCI when he informed them of this.

However, his words were in sharp contrast to that of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly’s, which suggested Kohli was asked to reconsider his decision.

“When I decided to leave the T20I captaincy and approached the BCCI about my decision, it was received well. There was no offence or hesitation, I wasn’t told to reconsider it. It was received well; I was told it’s progressive and it’s (a step) in the right direction.

Then I told them I’d like to continue in Tests and ODIs, unless the office bearers and selectors feel otherwise. My communication was clear in what I wanted to do. I gave them the option, that if they feel I shouldn’t (remain captain in Tests and/or ODIs), the decision is in their hands,” Kohli said.

Nothing Can Derail Me From Being Motivated To Play For India: Virat Kohli

Ever since Kohli was removed as India’s ODI captain, the media has been abuzz with many unsubstantiated reports of an alleged rift between him and Rohit Sharma, problems with the BCCI, and other such things. The Indian Test captain expressed disappointment with such reports but said nothing can kill his motivation of playing for India.

“To be prepared for a tour like this and to perform to the best of my abilities, nothing has, and nothing can derail me from that. A lot of things that happen on the outside are not ideal and not how one expects them to be, but you have to understand you can only do so much as an individual and we have to keep thing in tight perspective and do things that are in your control.

I’m focused, mentally prepared, and excited to do the best I can for the team and make the team win,” Kohli signed off.

India’s tour of South Africa begins with the first Test in Centurion on December 26.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Reveals What Had Happened Before BCCI Removed Him As The ODI Captain