Virat Kohli Steps Down as India Test Captain

Virat kohli, Virat Kohli Resignation, test captain

Virat Kohli Steps Down as captain: Virat Kohli's shock announcement came a day after India lost the Test series in South Africa 1-2. (File)

Virat Kohli Saturday stepped down from Test match captaincy. “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 there has never been lack of effort or lack of belief,” Kohli wrote in a statement which he posted on Twitter, taking everyone by surprise. He had asked his teammates and the support staff to keep the news to themselves.

Virat Kohli led India in 68 matches and has been the most successful captain with 40 wins. Virat Kohli was appointed Test captain back in 2014 when MS Dhoni stepped down in the middle of the series against Australia.

READ | Virat took Test team to unprecedented heights: Reactions pour in after Kohli steps down

The announcement came a day after India lost the Test series in South Africa 1-2. Kohli led India to the top of world rankings and during his tenure, the team recorded a memorable series win in Australia.

The 33-year-old had recently quit as T20 captain and was later sacked at ODI captain by the BCCI.

Also read | We had requested Virat Kohli not to step down as T20I captain: Sourav Ganguly

Indian captain Virat Kohli congratulates Temba Bavuma on hitting the winning runs to beat India 2-1 in a test series between South Africa and India in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Virat Kohli’s full statement:

🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/huBL6zZ7fZ

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022

“It’s been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the righ direction. I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there. Every thing 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 th journey, but never has there been a lack of effort or lack of belief. 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.

Virat Kohli smashes the ball toward the boundary during the third and final test match between South Africa and India in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity t lead my country for such a long period of time and mor importantly to all the teammates who bought into th vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guys have made this journey s memorable and beautiful. To Ravi Bhai and the suppor group who were the engine behind this vehicle that move 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.”

Also read in the article in Malayalam, Bangla and Tamil

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