Veteran opener Gautam Gambhir gave his opinion on Team India’s split captaincy – Rohit Sharma (white-ball) and Virat Kohli (red-ball). The BCCI has brought back the split captaincy to Indian cricket after several years as Kohli decided to relinquish T20I captaincy. However, he was sacked from his ODI leadership as the selectors wanted to have a single captain for white-ball formats. Several cricket critics welcome the appointment of Rohit’s appointment as ODI captain, however, some of them also criticized the handling of the situation.

Gambhir, who is very vocal about his opinions, said that it’s a very good sign for Indian cricket and Rohit will get enough time to groom the team in the limited-overs format. “I think it’s good for Indian cricket that now we have got two captains, one in red-ball cricket and one in white-ball cricket, so Rohit will get enough time to groom white-ball cricket – whether it is the T20 format or ODI format,” Gambhir said on Star Sports. The former India opener heaped huge praise on Rohit and said Indian cricket is in very safe hands with the Hitman as the leader in white-ball cricket.

“I feel Rohit Sharma as a leader will definitely do really well for Indian cricket. Plus Indian cricket is in very safe hands, especially in white-ball cricket.” “He has won five IPL titles. He must be doing something right as compared to other captains,” said the former Indian opener. Gambhir further emphasized Rohit’s calm attitude which will help the entire squad. “At the same time, his calmness and sometimes his laidback attitude as well, keeping things very relaxed. At the same time, not pushing players too hard, and he himself is a very chilled-out character, which actually helps the entire squad,” he added.

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‘You Will See The Same Virat Kohli, for India- Gambhir

Rohit has a tremendous winning percentage of 80 as an ODI captain with 8 wins out of 10 matches. His first assignment as the permanent ODI captain will come next month on the South Africa tour. The swashbuckling opener is also announced as the new vice-captain of India’s Test team replacing Ajinkya Rahane. Former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels Virat Kohli will come with double the intensity, and the captaincy saga won’t bother him in the near future. The 33-year-old was sacked as India’s ODI skipper on Wednesday sending shockwaves across the cricket world.

Kohli’s sacking came at a moment when the 33-year-old had made it very clear that he would like to lead the side in ODIs in the near future while stepping down from the position of T20 captain. Critics do feel that he might lack the intensity when he returns in the blue jersey. However, Gambhir didn’t feel so. “I am sure India will see the best of Virat Kohli, whether it is red-ball cricket or white-ball cricket. At the same time, the kind of passion he has shown over such a long period of time or the energy, you are going to see the same out of Virat Kohli, whether he is the captain or not.”

“I am sure he is going to make India proud, he is going to keep getting runs in white-ball cricket or in red-ball cricket. At the same time, there will be two different guys probably giving their own thoughts, giving their own vision for the team.” He added Kohli is such a player who wouldn’t lose his passion and energy despite all the off-field saga that is happening around him. He said no captaincy might free him up which means a renewed, more aggressive Kohli. “Same as Rohit Sharma’s role in red-ball cricket, it’s just that captaincy is not there. It might just free Virat Kohli up much more.”

Kohli was sacked of his position by the BCCI with the President Sourav Ganguly justifying the decision. He said Kohli was asked not to step down from the position of T20 skipper, but he chose not to listen citing workload. The BCCI didn’t want multiple captains in white-ball cricket, he informed News 18 in an exclusive.