Virat Kohli shocked the world on Saturday evening by announcing his unforeseen resignation as India’s Test captain. This came just a day after India had been defeated by South Africa in Cape Town as the hosts clinched the series 2-1.
Virat Kohli, who had taken over full-time Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in early 2015, became India’s most successful Test captain by a big gap. He led the nation in 68 Tests, winnings 40 of those – the fourth-most number of wins for any Test captain – losing 17 and drawing 11. Among Indians, next on the list are Dhoni (27 wins from 60 matches) and Sourav Ganguly (21 wins out of 49).
Of his 40 wins, 16 came overseas, including series triumphs 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, before India reached the inaugural WTC final; the Asian giants also led the unfinished series in England 2-1, with the fifth Test to be played later this year.
Virat Kohli took the team when it was in the doldrums languishing at number 7 and propelled it to the number 1 ranking.
This was all possible because of the incredible fast-bowling pool Virat Kohli had built along with Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun.
Fans and experts were left bolted, taken by surprise, when Kohli announced his resignation as Test captain. Soon wishes and praises started following for the former charismatic skipper.
Among those was Yuvraj Singh, who wrote a heartfelt message for his former teammate and good friend on this landmark occasion in Kohli’s career and Indian cricket.
Yuvraj had shared the field for a long time with Kohli at the national team and also at RCB. The former all-rounder hailed the Delhi-born for his accomplishments and wished him well for his future.
“It’s been a remarkable journey King Kohli @imVkohli! Very few have been able to achieve what you have. Gave your all and played like a true champion each time. May you grow from strength to strength! Onwards and upwards,” Yuvraj Singh tweeted.
It’s been a remarkable journey King Kohli @imVkohli! Very few have been able to achieve what you have. Gave your all and played like a true champion each time. May you grow from strength to strength! Onwards and upwards ????
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 15, 2022
A lot has transpired in quick time regarding Kohli’s captaincy across formats over the past few months where he has been at odds with the BCCI.
Rohit Sharma is the new ODI and T20I captain; he is likely to be the next Test captain as well. India’s next series is at home against Sri Lanka next month in which Kohli is expected to be play in his 100th Test.
