The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to remove Virat Kohli has become a huge talking point in the cricket fraternity with reactions to the announcement pouring in from all around the globe. 

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has become the latest to react to BCCI’s decision and expressed his displeasure on how things were done by the world’s richest cricketing body. Kaneria claimed that BCCI did not give Kohli enough ‘respect.’ 

Talking on his Youtube Channel, Kaneria said, “Did the BCCI do the right thing with Kohli? I don’t think so. They did not give him respect. He has led India to 65 wins in ODIs, the fourth highest by any India skipper. The thing is why didn’t you inform someone whose record as captain isn’t bad at all. Second most runs as India ODI skipper. Based on his record, he deserved respect. Sure, he hasn’t won an ICC trophy as captain but the way he has led is phenomenal.”

Kaneria blamed BCCI President Sourav Ganguly for his handling of the incident and asked for better communication from his side towards the ex-Indian ODI skipper. 

“Sourav Ganguly is such a big name, a former captain. He should have communicated to Virat that we would like for Rohit to captain,” said the former Pakistan spinner. 

Earlier this year, Kohli had announced that he will step down as captain from the T20I format after the completion of the 2021 T20 World Cup. While he did not make any statement about the ODI captaincy, BCCI decided to make Rohit the captain in both white-ball formats. 

Ganguly justified the decision by saying that it was not possible for there to be two white-ball captains and hence the decision was taken. He also claimed that BCCI asked Kohli to not give up the T20I captaincy. 

Kohli will continue to lead the team in Test cricket, however, Rohit has replaced Ajinkya Rahane as his deputy in the longest format of the game.