Just one day after India’s disappointing defeat against South Africa in the Freedom Trophy 2021-22, Virat Kohli dropped a bomb on his social media handles. Virat announced that he will no longer continue as the Test captain of Team India. This came as a shocker to the fans and entire cricketing fraternity as India’s record in Tests under Virat Kohli has been second to none.
In fact, Virat is the most successful Test captain ever for India. India won 40 out of the 68 matches in which Virat was the captain. A great crop of fast bowlers flourished under him. Virat Kohli was awarded the leadership role when MS Dhoni stepped down as Test captain during the 2014 Australia tour. India was ranked seventh in Test cricket at that time.
š®š³ pic.twitter.com/huBL6zZ7fZ
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022
From there, Virat Kohli deserves a lot of credit for leading the Indian Test squad to a position where they are now consistently at the no.1 spot. India won their first Test series in Australia and played the inaugural WTC final under Virat’s captaincy.
T20 World Cup 2021 was Kohli’s last stint as T20I captain and later BCCI sacked him as the ODI captain because the selectors preferred having the same leader for white-ball cricket. But Virat quitting Test captaincy was unexpected as he has been a global ambassador of the longest format and has received heavy praise from legends of the game for promoting Test cricket.
Here is how Cricket Twitter reacted to the shocking news:
Like he did in his very first Test at the helm in Adelaide 2014 & right through the 7 years he held the reins, Virat Kohliās legacy as Test captain will be how he got the Indian team to believe in the power of chasing victory, even if it was done at the risk of losing #ViratKohli
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 15, 2022
The end of an era.
Thank you, @imVkohli, for an incredible seven years as the Test captain š§”š#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/6eWjOdwN3A
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 15, 2022
Whoaaaā¦didnāt see that coming. #Kohli
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 15, 2022
šš All of us right now:@imVkohli #ViratKohli #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/b7agPviuCY
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 15, 2022
Virat Kohli became the Test captain of the India side quite young and during a time when cricket was at a state of emotional unrest. Thatās how I remember it and respect it. Impossible to not see him as captain when India comes out to field.
— Sritama (Ross Taylorās version) (@cricketpun_duh) January 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/sardesairajdeep/status/1482346885008728065?s=20
Youāve been an inspiration and a leader par excellence. Thank you for taking Indian cricket forward like only you could have. šš»
Thank you for the memories, King! Youāll always be our Captain Kohli. š¤©#PlayBold #TeamIndia #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/M9n9Dl3iCq
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) January 15, 2022
Whatever you do, please donāt quit test cricket.
We wonāt be ready for that for a few years atleast šš¼ #Virat— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 15, 2022
Many Congratulations #ViratKohli on an outstanding career as India's Test Captain. Stats don't lie & he was not only the most successful Indian Test Captain but one of the most successful in the world. Can be very proud @imVkohli & looking forward to watch u dominate with the bat
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 15, 2022
Although I also am shocked by @imVkohli sudden decision, I respect his call. I can only applaud him for what he has done for world cricket & India. Easily one of the most aggressive and fittest players India has had. Hope heād continue to shine for India as a player. pic.twitter.com/W9hJGAYqhv
— Suresh Rainaš®š³ (@ImRaina) January 15, 2022
Virat Kohli as captain in international cricket:
Matches – 213.
Won – 135.
Runs – 12,883.
Average – 59.92.
Hundreds – 41.– A record which will be a dream for any captain to replicate.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 15, 2022
Whenever the talk of Indian cricket captains will arise in test cricket @imVkohli ās 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
Stepped down as RCB captain, Stepped down as T20 captain, removed as ODI captain and stepped down as Test captain – The incidents happened in last 5 months in Virat Kohli's cricket career.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 15, 2022
Personally, wanted Kohli to be Test captain till his last match.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) 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 šš» pic.twitter.com/My2MOXNwMc
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 15, 2022
Wowā¦to say I am surprised would be lying, however it will be strange not seeing Virat captaining. Though everyoneās time must come to end, as they say. Thank you driving the global game through your leadership especially in the Test arena šš½ https://t.co/ZsIZ4NNbYM
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 15, 2022
Congratulations to @imVkohli on a tremendous tenure as #TeamIndia captain. Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia & England have been special. https://t.co/9Usle3MbbQ
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 15, 2022
Indian cricket and cricket fans are going to miss Viratās leadership! Two years down the line would be a good time to understand the impact these last few months have had. #ThankYouVirat
— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) January 15, 2022
No Indian fan would have wanted you to go this way @imVkohli, after a defeat. Your contributions as captain have been immense, your presence & energy inspirational, your articulation impressive. You always led from the front. You embodied the spirit of the team. We will miss you. https://t.co/uzI9ixxoYa
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 15, 2022
It should be noted that Virat had recently received a lot of flak for his behaviour on-field after a controversial DRS call of South African batter Dean Elgar. He had gone near to the stump mic after the DRS verdict and said: āFocus on your team as well and not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.ā
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