Virat Kohli to replace MS Dhoni as Team India's ODI skipper against South Africa?

Mumbai: While MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket, India’s World Cup winning skipper had made it clear that he will continue playing ODIs and T20s before taking a call on his career in shorter formats of the game.

There are no hints of him changing his plans. However, he may not lead India anymore in fifty overs cricket. According to reports, BCCI is considering to hand over ODI leadership to Virat Kohli.

Although, there is no official announcement as yet, it is learnt at the selection committee will be meeting on September 15 in New Delhi to pick India’s 50-overs and T20 squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.

While BCCI opted for split captaincy following MS Dhoni’s Test retirement in December last year, it is understood that they are no longer in favour of the same policy; especially after Virat Kohli leading the side to a historic Test series win in Sri Lanka after twenty-two years. The series triumph was also India’s first in four years away from home.

As per the report in ‘The New Indian Express’, “Even in the previous selection meeting there were talks about Kohli being named captain for all formats. But it is also worth keeping in mind that Dhoni is the most successful India captain ever and Kohli is just finding his feet as far as captaincy goes. With India set to play mainly at home next year, it will only be an advantage for Kohli to take over the reins now rather than in an away series.” The report added that Dhoni will continue leading the side in T20s.

“Everybody has a sell-buy date and it applies to captains as well. Dhoni is at the twilight of his career and there is no certainty whether he will continue after the World T20. So if a change of hands happens, it could well begin with South Africa series,” concluded the report.