Virat Kohli steps down as the Test skipper of the Indian cricket team with immediate effect on January 15, 2022. Virat Kohli took the decision right after India’s series lose to South Africa in 3 match test series. Despite winning the opening Test, India conceded the series 2-1.
Virat Kohli steps down as Test Skipper
The 33-year-old, who conveyed his decision via social media, had recently stepped down as India’s T20I skipper and was subsequently removed as the ODI captain ahead of the South Africa tour.
“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. 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.”
Kohli’s stint as Test captain was a largely successful one, as he oversaw the team’s rise to No.1 in the ICC rankings and several memorable overseas victories.
In 2021, he led India to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton. Overall, he steps down with the fourth-most wins as captain in Test cricket, with 40 wins from 68 games. Of the other 28, 11 were draws and 17 were losses.
Going by numbers, he was India’s best captain by a distance. Dhoni (27 wins from 60 matches) and Sourav Ganguly (21 wins out of 49) are next on the list.
Of his 40 wins, 16 came overseas, including series victories in Sri Lanka (2-1) in 2015, West Indies (2-0) in 2016, Sri Lanka (3-0) in 2017, Australia (2-1) in 2018-19 and West Indies (2-0) in 2019.
Under Kohli, after the WTC final, India also led what was originally a five-match series in England 2-1, before the fifth Test was called off because of Covid-19 fears in the Indian contingent.
India’s next Test assignment is a two-match series against Sri Lanka at home in February-March when Kohli is expected to play his 100th Test.
