'Rohit Sharma to lead in ODIs, Virat Kohli captain in Tests': BCCI mulls split captaincy, claims report

According to the IANS report, a BCCI functionary said that India should begin their preparation for next campaign now. England had started their prepartions for the 2019 World Cup after exiting the 2015 edition and Indian should follow in their footsteps.

The board functionary said that the management can look at the option of having Rohit as captain in the limited-overs format while Kohli continues with his captaincy in the longest format of the sport. 

“This would be the right time for Rohit to take over the mantle of the captaincy in the 50-over format. There has been immense support to the present captain and the management and it is time to plan ahead for the next World Cup and for that the existing ideas and plans need a fresh look. We all know some areas need a re-look. Rohit would be the right man for the job,” the functionary said.

India have seen some split captaincies in the recent time with Anil Kumble leading in Tests and MS Dhoni leading in the shorter formats and then Kohli leading in Test cricket while Dhoni was still captain in white-ball formats.

According to the report, the biggest concern for BCCI was the talks of different camps and rift between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The report said that the matter is set to be discussed in the review meeting with coach Ravi Shastri, captain Kohli and chief selector M.S.K. Prasad in the presence of the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

“You are aware that Vinod Rai (CoA chief) has already mentioned that a review meeting will take place. This will have to be ascertained when the review takes place and it is important to get to the bottom of these rumours,” the functionary added.

After India's exit from World Cup, reports have emerged claiming a rift in the team between factions following Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Dainik Jagran, quoting a Team India player, has reported that the there are two factions within the squad - one close to captain Virat Kohli and another following vice-captain Rohit Sharma.

According to the report, many players are also not happy with the unilateral decisions made by captain Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri. One such decision was the selection of Vijay Shankar over Ambati Rayudu for the World Cup squad.

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This is not the first time when people have talked about giving Rohit Sharma the leadership in ODIs and T20Is. Former Indian players Wasim Jaffer had recently suggested that perhaps the time has come for Kohli to give up captaincy in the limited-overs cricket. Jaffer had tweeted that Rohit Sharma should be handed over the reins of the team in white ball cricket and he would like him to lead the ODI side in the 2023 World Cup.

Earlier, many fans many fans had called for Rohit Sharma to be made limited-overs captain after Kohli had another bad season as captain with Royal Challengers in IPL 2019. Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to multiple title wins in the Indian Premier League.

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