Reports of a rift in the Indian cricket team has already surfaced just three days after the men in blue were eliminated from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 following a narrow defeat to New Zealand in the semi-finals. Questions over team selection were already doing the rounds after India’s premature exit from the marquee event and now reports suggest that there are two sections in the Indian dressing room – one supporting captain Virat Kohli and the other taking the side of deputy skipper Rohit Sharma. Review of Indian Cricket Team’s Journey in ICC World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli and Co Fall at the Knockout Hurdle.

A Dainik Jagran report claims that only those players loyal to Kohli and those who perform well are guaranteed a place in the side. The quoted player took a special liking towards KL Rahul saying that the captain and the team management has a soft corner for the batsman.  Rahul is selected even when he is not performing well said the player in an interview with the Hindi daily.  BCCI Wants Selectors to Throw Light On 'No 4' Fiasco After World Cup Disappointment.

The report also quotes that Indian team player saying that Ambati Rayudu was not selected in India’s 2019 World Cup squad because he was not on good terms with the captain. Vijay Shankar instead was selected for the important no 4 position, resulting in chaos at CWC 2019. Sanjay Bangar’s Role Under Scanner as Ravi Shastri and Other Staff Enjoy Extension Post India's World Cup 2019 Exit.

It claims that a section of the Indian dressing room are miffed with coach Ravi Shastri and Kohli for taking “unilateral decisions” without even informing or consulting others, therefore creating a conflict in the team. It has resulted in two fractions in the team. The report also stated that Yuzvendra Chahal is always played over Kuldeep Yadav when it comes to leaving either of them out. Chahal is preferred since he plays with Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bangalore, claimed the quoted player.

The rift, however, has not created any division in the team. But the ‘preferred players’ rule has already caused conflict among the players and that head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun are no longer welcomes in the team. “Virat is performing great with the bat but when will this coach and bowling coach leave?” said the player in the report.

Shastri was appointed the head coach of the Indian team for his second stint after Anil Kumble was forced to resign owing to his differences with captain Kohli. Shastri reportedly enjoys a good relation with CoA head Vinod Rai and is therefore still present.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2019 01:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).