Kohli terms talk of rift with Sharma ridiculous

Published July 30, 2019
MUMBAI: Indian captain Virat Kohli (R) and coach Ravi Shastri address a press conference on Monday.—AP
MUMBAI: Indian captain Virat Kohli (R) and coach Ravi Shastri address a press conference on Monday.—AP

MUMBAI: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday quashed reports of a rift with senior batsman Rohit Sharma, calling the rumours ‘baffling’ and ‘ridiculous’ before the team’s departure for a tour of the West Indies.

Since India’s exit in the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup this month, reports of a crack in relations between Kohli and his limited-overs deputy Sharma have dominated local media.

“Even I have heard a lot of things in the last few days. You obviously get to hear these things from outside,” Kohli told reporters at a city hotel. “If the team environment was not good, then the way we have been playing in the last two-three years, that would not have been possible.

“I know how much the dressing room atmosphere, the trust is essential in succeeding in international cricket so if that was not there, then whatever success we have achieved, would not have been possible, we would not have been at the position we are in world cricket.”

Kohli’s men sit atop the world Test rankings while they are second behind World Champions England in the 50-over format.

Sharma scored five centuries in the World Cup in England to top the batting charts with 648 runs and Kohli, who is the top-ranked batsman in both Tests and ODIs, said he only had respect for the 32-year-old.

“In my opinion it is baffling to be honest. It is absolutely ridiculous to read such stuff that comes out there,” he added.

“We are feeding off lies, we are overlooking facts. We are turning a blind eye to all the good things that have happened and creating fantasies and scenarios in our head and we want to accept that it is the truth.

“And I have seen this for too long now. Bringing personal lives into the picture, it is disrespectful after a moment.”

India will play three T20s, three ODIs and two Tests against the West Indies with the series also marking the start of the World Test Championship for both teams.

“It’s a great thing, we all have been looking forward to it. I feel it will give context to all the cricket we would play. It’s a great thing for Test cricket at the moment,” Kohli added. “Test cricket really needed a boost... It was important to have an incentive attached to Test cricket in a way which the Test championship presents. I’m glad that people have thought about Test to keep it relevant with the Test championship.

“I think for the pure joy of playing cricket and executing your skills as a cricketer Test cricket is the most important format. For me nothing comes above Test cricket.”

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.