CAPE TOWN: Virat Kohli has shared a statement in social media that he has stepped down from his role as captain of India’s Test team following the 2-1 series defeat by South Africa.
“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,” Kohli said on social media.
The 33-year-old Kohli took the reins from MS Dhoni in 2015 and as India Test captain; led India in 68 Tests, winning 40, losing 17 and drawing 11. India is the current No 1 team in ICC Test rankings. In his statement, Kohli has made a special mention on MS Dhoni, “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”.
The Indian batting star resigned as the T20 captain after the World Cup in November, last year and was also replaced as one-day skipper by Rohit Sharma soon after. The full statement issued by Virat Kohli on social media is as follows.
“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 has been many ups and also some downs along the journey, but never there has 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 kit’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 in to the vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guyz 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. (RZ)
Image credit : ICC cricket
