Fomer selector of the Indian Cricket team from 2008-2012, Mr.Raja Venkat has revealed that the then selection committee has opined to replace Dhoni with Virat Kohli, as early as in 2012 after the disastrous India Vs Australia series.
Writing in his column for a Bengali daily, Mr.Venkat said, ” It was the India Vs Australia series, the team has lost three test matches in a row. We, the selectors of the team have felt that it was the time to replace the captain and have unanimously decided to make Kohli as the Test captain”. He added, “When we have called the BCCI president to inform the same, he has used his Veto power to stop the captain being changed. He said in a subsequent meeting that the captain will not be changed and the selectors were forced to accept his decision”.
Mr.Venkat said, ” we have no other way rather than accepting his decision, as any revolt against him could cause a political crisis situation in the North”. The former first class cricketer, who served as a selector for the Indian team, has also added that Dhoni has spoiled the team spirit at that time. He alleged that Dhoni has failed to maintain unity in the team and hence, they have decided to replace him with Virat Kohli.
“Virat was a young player. He has all the temperaments of a talented cricketer. He has also won the under-19 World Cup for his team. Due to these reasons, we have favored the decision to bring in a new captain. However, it was rejected by the president Mr.N Srinivasan”, Mr.Venkat alleged, the Cricbuzz reports.
The column written by Mr.Venkat has brought wide range of speculations in the different sections of the people. It brings in doubts over the involvement of Dhoni in the retirement of the legends Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman after the said India vs Australia series. However, some netizens openly questioned Mr.Venkat of why he has taken a long time to open-up the past. Sports analysts too opined that it could have been a wrong decision and even ruined Kohli’s career, as 2012 was the time when Kohli was settling in his international Test career.
