Just a day after losing a 21 series loss against South Africa in the rainbow nation, the Indian Test captain, Virat Kohli has decided to step down from the captaincy role. He made the official announcement through his latest Instagram post and he thanked the BCCI and his teammates for supporting him always. He feels that he has been utterly honest in his job and now is the time for teh captaincy chapter of his career to come to a halt.
In his Instagram post, Virat Kohli wrote: It’s been 7 years of hard work, toil, and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction. I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there. Everything has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test Captain of India, it’s now. There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey, but never has there been a lack of effort or lack of belief.”
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He further elaborated, “I have always believed in giving my 120 percent in everything I do, and if I can’t do that, I know it’s not the right thing to do. I have absolute clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team. I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to lead my country for such a long period of time and more importantly to all the teammates who bought into the vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation.”
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Thanking his teammates, Virat Kohli wrote: “You guys have made this journey so memorable and beautiful. To Ravi Bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test Cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life. Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni who believed in me as a Captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian Cricket forward.”
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Virat Kohli led the Indian team in 68 Tests between 2014 and 2022 and he pulled off 40 wins. He finishes as India’s most successful Test captain with a win percentage of 58.82. India didn’t lose any Test series at home under the captaincy of Virat Kohli – 11 out of 11 won. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India also won a Test series in Australia, Sri Lanka, and West Indies.
One of the veteran sports journalists, K Shriniwas Rao has tweeted that, KL Rahul will become the next Indian Test captain ahead of Rohit Sharma. However, there is no confirmation regarding the same.
KL Rahul set to be the new Test captain of the Indian team.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) January 15, 2022
Here is how the cricketing fraternity reacted to the announcement of Virat Kohli:
Thank you for the 7 years of undying passion as Captain! Lots of Yellove and adviration to you!#WhistlePodu 🦁 pic.twitter.com/Bv5WqYlOKn
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 15, 2022
so virat's 100th test won't be as captain of the team
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 15, 2022
Solid 7 years as Test skipper with major achievement of beating Australia in Australia and leading in England apart from those innumerable home series wins ! Huge contribution in keeping Test cricket alive . Well done #ViratKohli
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) January 15, 2022
Virat Kohli's record in Tests…
as captain: 5864 runs, ave 54.80, 100s: 20 in 68 Tests
not as captain: 2098 runs, ave 41.13, 100s: 7 in 31 Tests— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 15, 2022
It’s always an honour to lead the dynamic Indian team. And the decision to step down is an emotional heavy moment. A journey well travelled #ViratKohli #captain @imVkohli
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) January 15, 2022
Still remember that 2014 Adelaide Test, his confidence in the pre-match conference even as a stand-in captain for Dhoni's absence, the way he scored two centuries in two innings never mind that India lost.
THAT match set the tone for Virat Kohli's Test captaincy reign.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 15, 2022
Not the news which I wanted to read but you have done some amazing job as a leader to #IndianCricketTeam be proud of yourself @imVkohli
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) January 15, 2022
😭💔 All of us right now:@imVkohli #ViratKohli #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/b7agPviuCY
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 15, 2022
No Indian fan would have wanted you to go this way @imVkohli, after a defeat. Your contributions as captain have been immense, your presence & energy inspirational, your articulation impressive. You always led from the front. You embodied the spirit of the team. We will miss you. https://t.co/uzI9ixxoYa
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 15, 2022
You’ve been an inspiration and a leader par excellence. Thank you for taking Indian cricket forward like only you could have. 🙌🏻
Thank you for the memories, King! You’ll always be our Captain Kohli. 🤩#PlayBold #TeamIndia #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/M9n9Dl3iCq
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 15, 2022
68 tests as captain. 40 wins to just 17 losses. Easily the best percentage and 13 test wins more than Dhoni at No2. Thank you @imVkohli, you were an outstanding captain for India.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) January 15, 2022
The end of an era.
Thank you, @imVkohli, for an incredible seven years as the Test captain 🧡💙#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/6eWjOdwN3A
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 15, 2022
7 YEARS of brilliance, memories & legacy! We know you gave it a 120% and more 👑
Thank you, Captain @imVkohli 🇮🇳#ViratKohli #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/sxJj6E3Y7m
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 15, 2022
7 YEARS of brilliance, memories & legacy! We know you gave it a 120% and more 👑
Thank you, Captain @imVkohli 🇮🇳#ViratKohli #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/sxJj6E3Y7m
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 15, 2022
BCCI congratulates #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights. He led India in 68 matches and has been the most successful captain with 40 wins. https://t.co/oRV3sgPQ2G
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2022
BREAKING: After seven years at the helm, Virat Kohli has stepped down as India’s Test captain. pic.twitter.com/0aZzSUvEYq
— ICC (@ICC) January 15, 2022
Last ODI when Virat Kohli was neither a captain or vice-captain of the Indian team was back in 2012. This was a tri-series game v SL at Hobart. Kohli scored 133*(86) & helped India reach the target of 321 in under 40 overs (36.4) to get the bonus point
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) January 15, 2022
Congratulations to @imVkohli on a tremendous tenure as #TeamIndia captain. Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia & England have been special. https://t.co/9Usle3MbbQ
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 15, 2022
Like he did in his very first Test at the helm in Adelaide 2014 & right through the 7 years he held the reins, Virat Kohli’s legacy as Test captain will be how he got the Indian team to believe in the power of chasing victory, even if it was done at the risk of losing #ViratKohli
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 15, 2022
When Virat took over as Test captain, India winning a test overseas was an achievement, now if India lose an overseas test series it is an upset. And that's how far he has taken Indian cricket forward, and that will be his legacy. Congratulations on successful reign @imVkohli 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/My2MOXNwMc
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 15, 2022
