Virat Kohli steps down as India Test captain

Published January 15, 2022
Virat Kohli holds his wedding ring as he celebrates scoring his century on the second day of the first Test cricket match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 2, 2018. — AFP/File
Virat Kohli holds his wedding ring as he celebrates scoring his century on the second day of the first Test cricket match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England on August 2, 2018. — AFP/File

Virat Kohli shocked the Indian cricket world on Saturday by abruptly resigning as the national side's Test captain, after leading the team to memorable overseas victories in his seven years in charge.

The 33-year-old, considered one of the best batsmen of his era, took to Twitter to announce his decision a day after India's 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.

“It's been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I've done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” Kohli said in his statement.

“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.”

After Kohli's announcement of relinquishing the Test captaincy, the Indian cricket board tweeted: "BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) congratulates team India captain Virat Kohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights."

The board's secretary Jay Shah wrote on Twitter after Kohli's surprise announcement: “Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia and England have been special.”

The feisty top order batsman has had a difficult relationship with the BCCI since stepping down as the Twenty20 captain after last year's World Cup.

Read: 5 things that went wrong for India at the T20 World Cup

That cost him the One-Day International captaincy as well, with the BCCI installing Rohit Sharma as captain in both the short formats.

Kohli, who took over the reins in 2014, led India in a record 68 test matches, winning 40 and losing 17.

BCCI officials were not immediately available to confirm who would take over as India's next Test captain, although opener KL Rahul's name has already started doing the rounds.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...