Virat Kohli steps down as Test captain of Indian cricket team

NEGI RK Saturday, January 15, 2022

Virat Kohli steps down as Test captain after series defeat against South Africa

January 15-2022- 16:49 PM IST

'Everything has to come to halt at some stage and for me as Test captain of India, it's now'

inevitable came a bit early as Virat Kohli on Saturday quit as India's Test captain, saying he did his job with "absolute honesty" and time was right to quit the leadership role.

Kohli's announcement came a day after India suffered an embarrassing Test series defeat against South Africa.

Kohli was dealing with one controversy after another as he was recently removed as ODI captain by the BCCI after he decided to step down at Twenty20 captain.

By Anushka Sharma lines

"I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket.

I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your beard will start turning grey. We all had a good laugh about it. Since that day, I’ve seen more than just your beard turning grey. I’ve seen growth. Immense growth. Around you & within you. And yes, I am very proud of your growth as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team & what achievements the team had under your leadership. But I’m more proud of the growth you achieved within you.

In 2014 we were so young & naive. Thinking that just good intentions, positive drive & motives can take you ahead in life. They definitely do but, not without challenges. A lot of these challenges that you faced were not always on the field. But then, this is life right? It tests you in places where you least expect it to but where you need it the most. And my love, I am so proud of you for not letting anything come in the way of your good intentions. You led by example & gave winning on field every ounce of your energy to the extent that after some losses I’ve sat next to you with tears in your eyes, while you wondered if there's still something more you could have done. This is who you are & this is what you expected from everyone. You've been unconventional & straightforward. Pretence is your foe & this is what makes you great in my eyes & the eyes of your admirers. Because underneath all this were your pure, unadulterated intentions always. And not everyone will be able to truly understand that. Like I’ve said, truly blessed are those who tried to get to know you beneath what meets the eye. You are not perfect & have your flaws but then again when did you ever try to conceal that? What you did was to always stand up for doing the right thing, the harder thing, always! You held on to nothing with greed, not even this position & I know that. Because when one holds on to something so tightly they limit themselves & you, my love, are limitless.

Our daughter will see the learning of these 7 years in the father that you are to her."

You did good ❤️

His decision to quit as Test skipper has come at a time when his relation with the BCCI is so strained that he preferred to announce his decision on social media.Viratrat Kohli on Saturday dropped a bombshell by quitting Test captaincy following the unexpected series defeat against South Africa.

Kohli was appointed Test captain back in 2014 when M S Dhoni stepped down in the middle of the series against Australia.

"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 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.

His shock 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.

Below is his statement:

“It's been 7 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. 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 the 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.

“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. 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.” PTI. The decision comes as a shock to may as Kohli had led India extremely well in the recently-concluded Test series against South Africa. Though the visitors lost the three-match Test series 2-1, they had come close to pulling off a historic maiden Test series win in the Rainbow nation after winning the series-opener in Centurion comfortably by 113 runs.

Kohli, who had left India's T20I captaincy last year, had been replaced by Rohit Sharma as the limited-overs captain of the team ahead of the country's tour of South Africa. Kohli had then gone on to counter comments made by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly about the change in captaincy as a controversy had erupted following the Indian cricket board's move to sack the 33-year-old from ODI captaincy.

"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," he added.

While he refused to reveal the exact reason why he is giving up the Test captaincy of the Indian team, Kohli said he has always believed in giving his 120 per cent for the team and can't be dishonest with his team if he cannot give his all. The batting maestro also said he has absolute clarity in his heart about the decision which has sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity.