NEW DELHI: BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has dismissed media reports suggesting internal rifts between chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma, following India’s underwhelming 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi, Shukla categorically refuted the claims.
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“Completely wrong statement to be made. No rift between coach and selection chairman. No rift between coach and captain,” Shukla asserted, putting to rest the swirling speculations.
Addressing concerns over the recent poor form of key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shukla offered a balanced perspective. “When you play sport, being in form, being not in form happens. These are phases of life. When Rohit felt he was not in form, he opted out of the Sydney Test,” he said.
Shukla also confirmed that the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy would be finalised by January 18 or 19. “On 18 or 19 January, the selection committee and secretary will sit and decide the Champions Trophy squad,” he announced.
Team India’s next big assignment is the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9. Hosted across Pakistan and the UAE under a hybrid model, India will play all their matches in the UAE.
The marquee event will feature eight teams and 15 matches, with India and Pakistan clashing in a high-voltage encounter on February 23 in Dubai. Team India’s campaign begins against Bangladesh on February 20, and their final league match is slated against New Zealand on March 2.
Group A comprises defending champions and hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
