New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s aura in Indian cricket has grown over the past few years but contrary to popular perception, he has never wielded ‘disproportionate influence’ when it comes to policy decisions, committee of administrators (CoA) chief, Vinod Rai stated here Monday.
“Any captain will exercise a certain amount of influence on the team. I am in favour of allowing that flexibility and discretion to a certain degree. After all, the captain carries the cross,” Rai told this agency during an event here.
“But I will make it clear that nobody has come to me and said that Virat exercises ‘influence, which is disproportionate’ to what a captain should be enjoying,” he added.
The former CAG stated that the skipper has never pressurised him on any policy matter. “At a personal level, Virat’s behaviour with me has been absolutely proper. Virat has never pressurised me for anything. Neither the team management nor selectors have ever complained about Virat,” Rai informed.
Rai also asserted that the three-member selection committee led by MSK Prasad has handled pressure very well.
“I have no first hand of knowledge that selectors have been under any pressure. I have great amount of respect for MSK,” he informed.
