Virat Kohli announced his decision to resign as India’s Test captain with posts on his social media handles on Saturday. The 33-year-old stepped down from the position as India’s most successful captain in the longest format in history.
Kohli was appointed Test captain back in 2014 when Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped down in the middle of the series against Australia.
Kohli’s announcement came a day after India lost the Test series in South Africa 1-2.
The right-hander led India to the top of world rankings and during his tenure, the team recorded a memorable series win in Australia.
He had resigned as T20I captain at the end of the World Cup last year and was later removed from his position as ODI captain.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022
Here’s the full text of Kohli’s 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.
Here are reactions to Kohli’s announcement:
BCCI congratulates #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights. He led India in 68 matches and has been the most successful captain with 40 wins. https://t.co/oRV3sgPQ2G
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2022
Virat, you can go with your head held high. Few have achieved what you have as captain. Definitely India's most aggressive and successful. Sad day for me personally as this is the team 🇮🇳 we built together - @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/lQC3LvekOf
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 15, 2022
A leader in every sense. Can't thank you enough for all that you've done, Skip. 🇮🇳💙 @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/IJlkX6aEoV
— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) January 15, 2022
Congratulations @imVkohli on a stunning run as the Indian captain. You can be very proud of what you have achieved so far, and for sure, your name will be up there among the best leaders in world cricket 👏 https://t.co/DieCKL4bhE
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) January 15, 2022
Tweet #ViratKohli put out a few minutes back announcing he’s stepping down from the Test captaincy. Unexpected. Must have been brewing for some while in his mind. Among other reasons, failure to win series in SA could be the precipitating factor https://t.co/sFFDf0UgI3
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 15, 2022
Last memories of Kohli as captain, in most Kohli-esque fashion. pic.twitter.com/zyEXJ4dgib
— Sonali (@samtanisonali1) January 15, 2022
That’s a big move. Virat has been one the finest Test skippers for the Indian team. We celebrate you champion, best wishes @imVkohli #viratkholi @BCCI https://t.co/7HZaS8q3TA
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) January 15, 2022
Whatever you do, please don’t quit test cricket.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 15, 2022
We won’t be ready for that for a few years atleast 🙏🏼 #Virat
Thank you for everything skip! ❤️ https://t.co/KtuEhoSh31
— Hanuma vihari (@Hanumavihari) January 15, 2022
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 15, 2022
@imVkohli created Habits which turned into a culture. With courage,character passion & aggression, You led this indian Test cricket team to great heights. Today's decision is a shocker!!
— R SRIDHAR (@coach_rsridhar) January 15, 2022
Wishing you all the very best for the rest of your international career. #No1forever 💯💔 pic.twitter.com/NhcdsQOfwY
I thought giving up the white ball captaincy was a good idea but I am not as convinced about this move. But now we must accept and wish a great player a fantastic second wind as a batsman. My only wish for him is that he is happy with his decision.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 15, 2022
Most wins by an Indian captain in Tests (40)
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) January 15, 2022
Most runs by an Indian captain in Tests (5864)
Most 100s by an Indian captain in Tests (20)
Most double hundreds by a captain in Tests (7)
Highest batting average by an Indian captain in Tests (54.80)
Thank you #ViratKohli
Virat Kohli (C) forever 🇮🇳🤗
— Riyan Parag (@ParagRiyan) January 15, 2022
Whenever the talk of Indian cricket captains will arise in test cricket @imVkohli ‘s name will be up there,not only for results but the kind of impact he had as a captain. Thank you #ViratKohli
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 15, 2022
If anyone deserved a fairy tale ending, an away series win in SA, it is this man. But there are no such things in sport, not even for the best Test captain of India men.
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) January 15, 2022
What he's achieved is phenomenal. The way he's left, it's almost as if he's channeling his inner Dhoni. https://t.co/Hyb37sLdwg
Unexpected toh nahie hain!!! @klrahul11 all the best if @BCCI goes for a multi captain option https://t.co/Q5swtN30vl
— Udita Dutta🏳️🌈 (@udita_scorpio77) January 15, 2022
When Virat took over as Test captain, India winning a test overseas was an achievement, now if India lose an overseas test series it is an upset. And that's how far he has taken Indian cricket forward, and that will be his legacy. Congratulations on successful reign @imVkohli 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/My2MOXNwMc
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 15, 2022
Virat Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) January 15, 2022
Most Tests won for India as a captain:
Virat Kohli (40 out of 68)
MS Dhoni (27 out of 60)
Sourav Ganguly (21 out of 49)#ViratKohli
Whoaaa…didn’t see that coming. #Kohli
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 15, 2022
Kohli stepped down as Test Captain 🤔🤨🧐
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 15, 2022
— Ian “ Ja Mo” Bishop (@irbishi) January 15, 2022
No Indian captain has been at the top for as long as @imVkohli since MAK Pataudi and Azharuddin. Seven years is a long time: he’s done a terrific job and taken the Indian team forward.. it’s the right time to hand over the baton to a new era! #ThankYouVirat
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) January 15, 2022
Most successful Test captains
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 15, 2022
[Min 20 Tests as captain]
%win (M-W-L-D)
71.93 - Steve Waugh (57-41-9-7)
62.50 - Don Bradman (25-15-3-6)
62.34 - Ricky Ponting (77-48-16-13)
58.82 - VIRAT KOHLI (68-40-17-11)
Huuuuuge call that.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 15, 2022
First thought... #ViratKohli changed the way India played Test cricket home and away. Took the team from no.7 to no.1 for a loooooong time. He was also a driving force in how Indian Test cricket was consumed home and away. Will be a very hard act to follow!!
Kohli leaves with an unparalleled record as an Indian Test captain.
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) January 15, 2022
There is no cricketer who maximized the home advantage like he did by getting the crowd involved.
Also feel very lucky to have seen his last test as a captain in India.https://t.co/1n7Ug1ko83
I still remember back 2017 in South Africa, where u told me its high time to win series in these countries. Yes, we didn’t win 2017-18 series in Africa, but we went to Australia & beat them in Australia. In England 2017-18 series we lost, but we know as team how close we came! pic.twitter.com/2ehe6Sp6yi
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) January 15, 2022