press trust of india
Mirpur, June 25: India’s Test captain Virat Kohli created a flutter Thursday by blaming ‘doubtful decision-making’ and lack of clarity for the debacle in Bangladesh, a statement, which is being interpreted as an attack on ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership.
“They (Bangladesh) have played some really good cricket and honestly we have been sort of doubtful in our decision making and that shows on the field,” Kohli told reporters.
The 26-year old stated that his team wasn’t able to express themselves on the field. “As I said, credit to them for the way they played but where we lacked in the first two games was not being able to express ourselves with clarity of mind,” the 26-year-old batsman said. “Anyone who knows cricket will be aware of the fact that as players we need to go out there and play our natural game. But that hasn’t happened in this series.”
Kohli’s comment has come a day after premier spinner Ravi Ashwin strongly backed Dhoni, saying that he was willing to die on the field for his captain. Another senior player, Suresh Raina, has also lent his support for Dhoni.
The two different types of comments from three players have raised a doubt that all is not well in the Indian team. Earlier, Dhoni had said that if the team would benefit from him stepping down as the captain of the national team, then he would do so, which also raised a doubt that the dressing room was not at harmony.
Kohli’s comments have also raised speculation about a possible rift within the ODI team with the Chennai Super Kings’ players backing Dhoni to the hilt.