BCCI Chief questions Kohli’s absence in ICC’s Test team of the year

12/23/2016

BCCI president Anurag Thakur has asked the ICC to look into the absence of Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli from the recently announced Test team of the year. Thakur has also insisted that World Cricket needs the Indian Cricket Board to survive in a clear message to the World Governing Body.

Former Test stalwarts Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten, and Kumar Sangakkara selected the ICC’s Test team of year based on players’ performances during the period from 14 September 2015 to 20 September 2016, and Virat Kohli, ranked no.2 in the World, was missing from the team. Anurag Thakur has asked the ICC to look into the matter, while he has congratulated Ravichandran Ashwin for winning the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricket of the Year awards.

"ICC should look into the matter as India is No.1 Test team. But I am happy that Ashwin has been adjudged Test Cricketer of the Year," Thakur said, reported PTI.

The BCCI has been involved in a tussle with the ICC over the latter's efforts to push through a new revenue-sharing system, which would mean that the BCCI would receive a lesser percentage of the amount they have been receiving till now. Recently, the ICC decided against inviting the BCCI to one of its Working Committee meetings. Anurag Thakur has, however, provided a clear message to the ICC, reminding them of the Indian Board’s importance in the bigger picture.

"If anyone thinks that they can work without BCCI, they should know global cricket needs BCCI," the 42-year-old said.