It’s just been a couple of days since India crashed out of the 2019 ICC World Cup, losing in the semifinals to New Zealand, but reports of discontent and a rift within the side have already started to emerge.
The report also suggests that Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri often take unilateral decisions without taking others into confidence, creating discontent within the team. The latest instance of such a decision was the selection of Vijay Shankar over Ambati Rayudu as the designated No.4 in the World Cup squad, the report said.
According to the report, the rather high-handed approach of Shastri and Kohli goes unopposed within the team management as the captain enjoys support of Vinod Rai, chief of Supreme Court-backed CoA.
The report points out to this as a reason as to why no action was taken even after successive debacles like the fallout between Kohli and Kumble, the 1-2 loss in Test series in South Africa or the 1-4 loss in England.
The report also says that apart from the indispensable players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, those in the 'Virat Company' get preference in team selection, adding that there are two factions within the team, the other one loyal to Rohit.
However, the rift within the squad hasn't yet reached a point to trigger a major conflict.
Also, the player reportedly said that Yuzvendra Chahal, by virtue of being part of the Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru side, is preferred over Kuldeep Yadav, when the situation demands to drop either of the two wrist spinners.
The report also claims that the player who spoke to Dainik Jagran was so exasperated with the coaching staff that he was awaiting a change in guard.
On being told that the coaching staff has been handed a 45-day extension, the player reportedly said that Kohli only pays heed to Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun.
(With inputs from Dainik Jagran)
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