Karachi: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi feels Kohli should step down from the leadership role in all formats of the game to flourish only as a player and focus on his batting particularly.
Virat Kohli also left the captaincy of IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore after the end of the second leg of the campaign.
“I think he has been a wonderful force for Indian cricket but I think it would be best if
Virat step down as captain and just enjoy his remaining cricket which I think aplenty. He is a top batsman and he can play freely without any other pressures on.” Afridi said.
The T20I series against New Zealand marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket, with Rohit Sharma taking over the captaincy reigns. Hailing BCCI for appointing Rohit Sharma as Kohli’s successor the former Pakistan skipper feels that Rohit’s mentality makes him an ‘outstanding player’ and also added that the swashbuckling batsman stays relaxed where required and shows aggression when needed to as well.
“I think he has been a wonderful force for Indian cricket but I think it would be best if he decided to retire as captain in all formats now. I have played with Rohit for a year and he is an outstanding player with a top mentality. His biggest asset is he can stay relaxed where required and show aggression when it is needed the most,” he added.
The Pakistani star said that Rohit had the mental strength to be a good captain and he has shown this with his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians. “He is a top level player with terrific shot selection and he has the mentality to be a good leader of the players,” the former Pakistan skipper added.
