According to Ganguly, the selectors decided to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit as ODI captain because having two leaders in two white-ball formats wouldn't have been ideal.
The former India captain also said the Indian cricket board asked Kohli not to step down as T20I captain, but he didn't want to lead the format post-World Cup.
“We had requested Virat not to step down as T20I captain but he didn’t want to continue as captain. So, the selectors felt that they cannot have two white-ball captains in two white-ball formats. That’s too much of leadership,” Ganguly said.
“I don’t know but that’s what selectors felt. That’s how this conclusion was arrived at – that let Rohit captain in white-ball and let Virat be the red-ball skipper.
“It’s very difficult to predict. I wish him all the best and I hope he does a good job,” Ganguly said before going on to reveal that both he and chief selector Chetan Sharma had spoken to Kohli before making their announcement on December 8.
“Yes, I have spoken to Virat personally and chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma also spoke to him on the issue.
“I can’t explain more about what all was discussed and what selectors have said, but this is the primary reason for having Rohit as the white-ball captain and Virat accepted it,” Ganguly said.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming South African ODI series while Virat Kohli will lead the side in 3 match Test series.