'Virat Kohli tried to defame Sourav Ganguly but it backfired': Chetan Sharma in sting operation

In a sting operation conducted by Zee Media, Sharma is heard speaking of the whole controversy which followed Kohli's axing as the skipper from all formats.

In the video, Sharma said, "There is a clash of two egos. One who thinks that Ganguly has removed him from captaincy, so I will take my revenge. Virat gave statements in the media trying to defame Ganguly, but it backfired."

After Kohli quit as T20 captain in late 2021, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) went on to replace him with Rohit Sharma as the skipper not only in the shortest but in all formats triggering a huge row.

Then Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly had claimed that he had personally requested Kohli to continue as the captain.

However in a press conference, Kohli contradicted Ganguly's statement saying he was informed about a change in ODI leadership one-and-a-half hours prior to the selection of the Test side.

"When I told the BCCI that I want to give up T20I captaincy, it was accepted really well. There was no hesitancy. I was told that it was a progressive step. I had informed at that time that I would like to lead in ODIs and Tests.

"The communication from my side was clear but I had also informed that if the office bearers and selectors don't think I should lead in other formats, then that is fine," Kohli had said back then.

In the sting video, Chetan Sharma was heard backing Ganguly's claim that the then BCCI chief had personally requested Kohli to reconsider his decision of quitting as the T20 skipper.

"... He had said. It is normal, Sourav Ganguly had told him (Kohli) to reconsider, which might be in the video conference as well. But it seems Virat did not hear it. Nine people were sitting there. It's not as if it was only one person," he added.