Quashing reports that the Indian cricket team had departed for the West Indies tour without holding a press conference, Virat Kohli appeared in a presser on July 29 (Monday). The Indian cricket team captain held the meeting in Mumbai and answered several questions thrown at him, chiefly his rumoured rift with vice-captain Rohit Sharma, Ravi Shastri as head coach and the dividends in the India team’s dressing room. Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma Rivalry and Rift Rumours: Team India Skipper Addresses It in Press Conference Ahead of West Indies Tour.

India will play the West Indies in a full-fledged bilateral series starting August 3. The men in blue will first travel to the United States for three T20 games before heading to the Caribbean Island for three ODIs and two Test matches. Indian skipper Virat Kohli answered most questions thrown at him from his possible rift with Rohit to his choice for the post of the head coach of the Indian cricket team or the middle order muddle. Take a look at the five takeaways from Kohli’s press conference.

On Head Coach Selection

Kohli batted for the continuation of Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team. Shastri’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian team drew to an end after the 2019 Cricket World Cup but the coaching staff was asked to continue with their respective post for the Windies tour.

"We have a great camaraderie with our coaching staff. So we would want the same coach to continue. But that is up to CAC to decide. The CAC hasn’t contacted me yet. If they want my opinion, I’ll go and speak to them,” said Kohli when asked for his choice on the head coach role.

Rift With Rohit Sharma

Rumours of a rift between Kohli and his deputy Rohit has stormed Indian cricket immediately after the World Cup. Rohit and several other teammates were said to be upset about some decisions, taken by Kohli and Shastri during CWC 2019, without consulting or informing the other team members. Talks of a split captaincy have also been doing the rounds with some BCCI officials informing that the Board was reportedly looking for Rohit to take over the ODI captaincy.

Kohli said: “If the atmosphere in the team is not well, the team would not have been so consistent so far. We have climbed from no. 7 to no. 1. This cannot be done without the camaraderie between the players. We wouldn’t have had the kind of performances we’ve had if the dressing room atmosphere wasn’t a good one. The kind of performances we’ve had is only possible due to the camaraderie, trust and understanding in our team.

“It is absolutely baffling and ridiculous to read such rumours about the rift. The focus has shifted from the play. People are creating this stuff on the outside. We are senior players. People are creating lies and fantasies about the dressing room. It is disrespectful. I don’t think there’s anything very alarming about where the Indian team is placed.”

Middle Order

Poor form in the middle order was for many the primary reason for India’s exit from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Batsmen in the middle order looked terribly out of form in England and struggled for runs leading to changes in the Indian squad for the Windies tour post the World Cup. Many new players have been included in the Indian squad for the Windies tour as India look to strengthen the batsmen in the middle.

“I don’t know how to answer this question on middle-order. It’s not fair to be critical of the middle-order. We are looking to find someone who is consistent,” Kohli said.

Test Championships

ICC has announced Test championship for the next three years. The Test championship will attract more audience to the game and make Test cricket more refreshing for the new generation, ICC said. When Kohli was asked on the same, he replied: “Test Championship will provide more exposure to Test cricket. This will be challenging and exciting for the players and they will learn from the experience.”

Break After World Cup

Speculations were doing rounds that senior Indian cricketers, including Kohli, Rohit, MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah had asked for a break following the 2019 Cricket World Cup. But while MS Dhoni was granted a two-month break and Jasprit Bumrah rested for the limited-overs’ series, both Kohli and Rohit were included in all the three formats.

“Nothing was communicated to me about rest. It’s an important time for the team to regroup. I know we were all very disappointed with not going into the World Cup final, but we have to move on,” said Kohli.

Kohli also answered questions on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2020 and said while for now will be shifted towards the upcoming World Cup, other formats will be given equal importance. The Indian skipper also backed Ajinkya Rahane to fight his way back into the ODI side.

Critics and fans alike have called for the inclusion of Rahane in India's middle-order following the disastrous performance of other players batting in those positions during CWC 2019.

Meanwhile, outgoing head coach Ravi Shastri, who has re-applied for the job and is speculated to continue in the role, spoke on Team India's performance in CWC 2019 and said that while lifting the trophy for the third time would have been "icing on the cake," the team's good performance cannot be overridden.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 29, 2019 07:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).