IPL 2021: Gautam Gambhir questions the timing of Virat Kohli’s retirement announcement

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has criticised current Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli for stepping down from the captaincy role in the middle of the ongoing IPL season. Kohli on Sunday announced that the 2021 edition of the cash-rich league will be his last stint as RCB captain.

Gambhir, who is one of the most successful IPL captains, reckoned that Kohli’s decision might unsettle the RCB dugout. He went on to say that the Delhi-born could have revealed this news once the season was over. The Challengers are currently in a strong position for making it to the playoffs as they have won five out of their seven matches in the 14th edition of the tournament.

#BREAKING – Virat Kohli said, "This will be my last IPL as captain of RCB. I’ll continue to be an RCB player till I play my last IPL game. I thank all the RCB fans for believing in me and supporting me". #IPL2021 #RCB #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/5Fy6n2biDL
— FirstSportz (@SportzFirst) September 19, 2021

“Yes, it does (the timing of the decision surprises me). Just before the 2nd leg of the tournament. If you want to do that, you probably do it after the tournament. Because it makes the team unsettled and emotional as well,” Gambhir told on Star Sports.

“They are in a very good position. Why would you want to put that extra pressure, probably push your players to probably do it for Virat? You don’t want to win it for individuals, you want to win it for the franchise. If he had to do it, he could have done it after the tournament as well,” he said.

“Kohli has taken a brave decision but it’s going to be an emotional moment”

The cricketer-turned-commentator hailed Virat Kohli for taking a brave decision as Gambhir stated that leaving captaincy and retirement are tough calls. He concluded the interaction while hoping that RCB doesn’t get carried away by emotions after this announcement ahead of the second leg of IPL 2021.

“Stepping down and retirement are two very individual decisions. He has taken a brave decision but it’s going to be an emotional moment. Probably, the players and the franchise don’t get emotional and continue to play the way they were playing in this season,” Gambhir added.

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