The captaincy saga involving Virat Kohli and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been a recurring topic of discussion in Indian cricket. Now, Sourav Ganguly, the former BCCI President, has once again addressed the issue, offering fresh insights into the events that transpired.

Ganguly, who was at the helm of the BCCI when Kohli's captaincy tenure came to an end, has consistently maintained that the board wanted Kohli to continue leading the team. In a recent interview, he reiterated this stance, stating that the BCCI was not prepared for Kohli relinquishing the Test captaincy. According to Ganguly, Kohli's decision to step down as Test captain after the South Africa tour in 2022 was unexpected. He clarified that the decision rested solely with Kohli, emphasizing that only Kohli himself could explain the reasons behind it.

The timeline of events began with Kohli's decision to step down as India's T20I captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Subsequently, the BCCI appointed Rohit Sharma as the captain in the ODI format as well. This decision was followed by Kohli's resignation as the Test captain, marking the end of his leadership role across all formats.

Ganguly revealed that after Kohli decided to step down from T20I captaincy, he suggested to Kohli that if he was not interested in leading in T20Is, he should step down from the entire white-ball cricket formats, to allow for one white-ball captain and one red-ball captain.

One of the major points of contention in the entire episode was the communication gap between Kohli and the BCCI. Kohli, in a press conference before the South Africa tour, stated that he was informed about the board's decision to remove him as ODI captain just 90 minutes before the team selection meeting. This contradicted Ganguly's earlier claims that the BCCI had requested Kohli to reconsider his decision to step down as T20I captain.

Adding another layer to the narrative, Ganguly disclosed that Rohit Sharma was initially reluctant to take on the captaincy role due to workload concerns. He recalls personally convincing Sharma to accept the responsibility, emphasizing the importance of him leading India in Test matches before the end of his career. Ganguly said that a request from the board went to Rohit, who was reluctant because of workload. He remembers having a conversation with him, persuading him that he shouldn't finish his career without captaining India in Test matches.

The former BCCI chief also shared insights into his hands-on approach as the board president, stating that he maintained regular communication with the players and addressed issues personally. This approach, he believes, helped in resolving conflicts and ensuring smooth decision-making.

Despite the controversies and differing viewpoints, Ganguly and Kohli have seemingly moved past the disagreements. Their recent public interactions, including warm handshakes during the Indian Premier League (IPL), suggest a reconciliation between the two stalwarts of Indian cricket.

In conclusion, Sourav Ganguly's recent statements shed more light on the captaincy transition period in Indian cricket. While certain aspects of the saga remain debated, Ganguly's revelations provide a clearer understanding of the BCCI's perspective and the circumstances that led to Rohit Sharma's appointment as captain across all formats.