Virat Kohli informed 24 hours before tweeting to team that he was stepping down
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test leadership on Saturday. Kohli shared in an Instagram and Facebook post.
Virat Kohli took over the reins of India’s Test team in 2014. He led it in 68 Tests, winning 40 and losing 17.
In his resignation post, Kohli writes as: “It’s been 7 years of hard work, toil, and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction. I have 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 dome 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 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.”
The decision comes a day after India’s shocking Test series loss to South Africa.
India won their first Test series in Australia under Kohli, and they also led England 2-1 at home.
Kohli also complimented the BCCI and coach Ravi Shastri for helping him become a better captain.
He wrote: I want to thank the BCCI for allowing me to represent my country for such a long time, and more significantly, I want to thank all of my teammates for believing in the vision I had for the team from the beginning and never giving up in any situation…
To Ravi Bhai and the rest of the support team, who were the driving force behind this vehicle that propelled us forward.”
Kohli also expressed gratitude to MS Dhoni for believing in him as captain.