It was a poignant moment in Indian cricket history when Virat Kohli resigned as the Test captain at the conclusion of the India vs South Africa Test series in the 2021/22 season. Since taking on the role in 2014, Kohli became the most successful Test captain for India, bringing about an abrupt end to a significant chapter.
Amid speculation and controversy, Sourav Ganguly, the then-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), disclosed his perspective on the circumstances that led to Kohli’s departure from the helm. Reflecting on that period, Ganguly conveyed that it was not his decision to oust Kohli from Test captaincy. Rather, his actions were isolated to the white-ball format when Kohli expressed disinterest in T20I leadership.
During his appearance on ‘Dadagiri Unlimited Season 10,’ a reality show, Ganguly explained his conversation with Kohli, emphasizing that it was more of a suggestion than a decree. “I didn’t remove Virat from captaincy,” Ganguly clarified. He elaborated on the transition, stating that once Kohli stepped down from T20Is leadership, it seemed logical for him to relinquish ODI captaincy as well, with the aim to have a unified captain for the limited-overs games separate from Test cricket.
Kohli’s resignation from the Test captaincy came in the immediate aftermath of India’s Test series loss to South Africa, capping off a series of changes in Indian cricket leadership. He had announced his departure from T20I captaincy in 2021 and was later replaced as the ODI captain by the BCCI, signaling a significant shift in the team’s captaincy structure.
Ganguly shed light on the selection of Rohit Sharma as the all-format captain of India. Recalling his role in the decision, Ganguly mentioned he nudged Sharma, who was initially reluctant, to embrace the responsibility across all three formats of the game. The former India captain, acknowledged as ‘Dada’ by his fans, recognized a partial hand in the leadership reshuffle but reiterated that the final performance lay in the hands of the players themselves.
The situation was symbolic of the ongoing challenges and the dynamic nature of cricket administration. Ganguly, regarded as one of Indian cricket’s most influential captains before transitioning to administration, expressed a clear objective: to serve for the advancement of Indian cricket. He viewed the captaincy conundrum as a smaller aspect of a broader responsibility.
The change in leadership has been a topic of intense media coverage and fan debates. Kohli’s tenure as captain brought a renewed aggression and a fitness culture that elevated the team’s performance, especially in Test cricket, where India secured noteworthy overseas victories. The dramatic change in guard signified a new era for Indian cricket, with Rohit Sharma at the fore, expected to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.
Throughout his tenure at the helm of the BCCI, Ganguly faced multiple challenges, including navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on cricket schedules and the aforementioned changes in captaincy. His openness about the circumstances leading to Kohli’s exit as Test captain aims to dispel rumors and provide a clearer picture of the behind-the-scenes workings of cricket administration in India.
As Indian cricket continues to evolve with new players and strategies, the role of leadership—both on and off the field—remains crucial. Both Ganguly’s and Kohli’s contributions to the sport have been substantial, and the transition is watched closely by enthusiasts and analysts alike, all eager to see the direction Indian cricket takes in the coming years.