Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes Virat Kohli’s role in the Indian team doesn’t change one bit despite him giving up the captaincy duties from all three forms of the game.
Kohli will now play under the leadership of KL Rahul in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.
Gambhir added that Kohli should look to focus on his batting and he can play a leadership role in the team despite giving up the captaincy duties. Kohli has been a consistent performer for the team in all three formats of the game and he would look to keep contributing as a senior player in the team.
Gambhir added that captaincy is not anyone’s birthright and one always aspires to play as a kid and he doesn’t think of becoming a captain in the early stages of the career.
Gautam Gambhir said on ESPN Cricinfo, “What new do you want to see? Captaincy is not anyone’s birthright. People like MS Dhoni have given the captaincy baton to Virat Kohli, he has played under Virat Kohli as well has won three ICC trophies and four IPL trophies as well.”
Gambhir added that Kohli should focus on scoring runs for the team and help his side in winnings games, which he has been doing since the inception of his career.
“I think Kohli should look to score runs and that is more important. When you dream of playing for India, you don’t dream to become a captain. You dream of winning games for India and nothing changes, except that you are not going out there to do the toss and set the field placement, but your energy and intensity should remain the same because it’s an honor playing for the country.”
The former Indian opening batter went on to add that Kohli’s role will not change one bit in the upcoming matches for the Indian team.
“Exactly the same what he had when he was captaining the side. Batting at No. 3, scoring lots and lots of runs and probably anchoring the innings as well. When Rohit Sharma comes in with KL Rahul at the top of the order, Kohli’s role doesn’t change one bit.”
“As I just mentioned apart from not going for the toss and setting the field placements, rest everything remains the same. He has got to bat at No.3, he has got to score a lot of runs in white-ball cricket. So I am sure, I think nothing changes.”
India will now face South Africa in three-match ODI series, with the first ODI to take place at Paarl on January 19.
