Cape Town, Jan 15: Virat Kohli on Saturday dropped a bombshell by quitting Test captaincy, a day after India suffered an unexpected series-defeat against a second-string South Africa.
Kohli signed off as India’s most successful captain after being given the reins of the side back in 2014 when M S Dhoni stepped down in the middle of the series against Australia.
Arguably the biggest ambassador of the five-day game, Kohli took India to new heights in his tenure which saw the team become a force to reckon with in all conditions.
Kohli made the announcement in the backdrop of his tense relations with the BCCI which removed him as ODI captain after the star batter himself decided to leave T20 captaincy.
A massive controversy erupted when BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and chief selector contradicted Kohli’s claims that that he was not asked to stay back as T20 captain.
“Every thing has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test captain of India, it’s now,” Kohli wrote in a statement which he posted on Twitter, taking everyone by surprise.
“There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey but there has never been lack of effort or lack of belief.”
Interestingly, when Kohli had quit T20 captaincy, he had also posted his message on social media.
“It’s been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I have done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” he wrote in his statement.
Kohli led India to the top of the world rankings and during his tenure, the team recorded memorable series wins in England and Australia.
In what turned out to be his last series as captain, Kohli was at the centre of controversy during the third Test in South Africa as he vented his anger into the stump mic after a close DRS call for LBW went in favour of opposition skipper Dean Elgar.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Arun Dhumal acknowledged Kohli’s massive contribution to India’s stellar run in the five-day format. “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,” wrote Shah.
“Congrats @imVkohli for a great tenure as captain. You have been a phenomenal leader and beyond doubt the most successful Indian captain be it home or overseas.I wish u great success in future and I’m sure you’ll keep contributing with your top class batting for team India,” wrote Dhumal. (PTI)
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