Kirti Azad opens up on Virat Kohli captaincy saga

The controversy regarding the captaincy saga is here to stay for a long time. Virat Kohli cited how the selectors removed him from the captaincy position during a press conference this month after which the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that the board would deal with the issue internally.

However, several ex-Indian cricketers have criticized both Ganguly and selectors in this matter. They have spoken against Ganguly and have expressed that he should have dealt with this issue personally. Kohli’s words were starkly opposite to what Ganguly had said before.

Former Indian cricketer and national selector Kirti Azad has now poured his heart out in this matter. During an interaction with News18, he said that Ganguly should have learned from his experience and spoke to Kohli a little earlier. Azad was the selector when Ganguly was removed from captaincy position during Greg Chappell’s time.

“I remember I had defended him [Ganguly] when Greg Chappell was coach and he was dropped as captain. He should have learnt from his own example and spoken to Virat much earlier. I am not saying Virat is a special case. Yes, he is a special batter and a special cricketer. He leads by example and leads by example,” Azad said.

BCCI should have been a little more professional on a cricketing front: Kirti Azad

Azad also spoke that the matter should not have reached the general public, and Ganguly should have properly addressed this situation.

“I feel that it should have been done in a more proper manner. BCCI should have been a little more professional on a cricketing front and with Sourav at the helm, especially when a former captain had tweeted about a rift, a speculation that had been going on. These things should not come out in the public and a captain who has given so much, Virat Kohli, should have been informed well in advance,” the former BCCI selector pointed out.

Azad also pointed out that Kohli is not the first Indian captain to be removed from this position in a controversial manner. Several other cricketers, including Ganguly, had the same experience in the past.

“I remember how Bishan Bedi was dethroned, how Sunil Gavaskar was dethroned. Venkataraghavan was in his flight and when he landed, he was replaced as captain. At least, Sourav should have realised through his own experience,” Azad told.