File photo of Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has stepped down as India’s Test captain. He announced the decision on his social media accounts just a day after India lost the Test series against South Africa after their loss in the third Test in Cape Town. The decision also comes just a month after the BCCI selectors decided to remove him as captain of the team in one-day internationals. Kohli had himself decided to step town from captaincy in T20Is at the end of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Here is his full statement:
“It has been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I have 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 per cent in everything I do, and if I can’t do that, I know its 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.”
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