Virat Kohli Resignation: While the whole world was stunned, Virat Kohli informed the teammates of his decision in a team meeting right after the Test series loss to South Africa. Jasprit Bumrah said it was his personal decision and he could only respect that. However, despite not being in the captaincy role, Bumrah said Kohli will continue to be a leader in the group. Follow IND vs SA ODI series Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“We are close as a team unit, we got to know about his decision in a team meeting that he will stand down as the Test captain. We respect his decision, we value his leadership. We congratulated him for what he achieved as a leader of this side,” Jasprit Bumrah said ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Virat Kohli Resignation: Jasprit Bumrah declares, ‘Captain or not, Virat Kohli will always remain a leader in our group’
Virat Kohli announced on Saturday that he will be stepping down as the Test captain three months after quitting the T20I captaincy and a month after he was removed from ODI captaincy role. But Bumrah said, no matter whether he will be a captain or not, Kohli will continue to be a leader.
“See, I am not here to give a judgment on Virat’s decision to leave Test captaincy. It is a personal decision, we respect his decision. He knows how his body is reacting and what frame of mind he is in. I respect that, it has been an immense pleasure to play under Virat Kohli, I made my Test debut under him. He brings a lot of energy to the side. He will always be a leader in the group and his contribution has always been immense,” Jasprit Bumrah said at a virtual press conference.
Virat Kohli Resignation: Jasprit Bumrah declares, ‘Captain or not, Virat Kohli will always remain a leader in our group’
ODI MODE 🔛
We are here at Boland Park to begin prep for the ODIs 👍🏻#TeamIndia | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/psMVDaNwbc
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2022
Virat Kohli Resignation: Jasprit Bumrah declares, ‘Captain or not, Virat Kohli will always remain a leader in our group’
When asked about when the Team India members got to know about Virat’s decision, Bumrah said: Kohli holds the record for most Test appearances as India Test captain (68) and he also holds the record for most Test wins by an Indian captain (40). Only Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh have won more matches than Kohli as captain in Test cricket.
Last year, Kohli had stepped down as the T20I captain and then he was removed as the ODI skipper after the selectors wanted to have just one captain for the white-ball formats.
“Virat has been the leader of our team, he is energy-driven and he has brought a lot of change to Indian cricket. Everybody got fitter in the team, his contribution has been immense. He is a very important player in the group, his assistance, and knowledge of the game would always be used by the team. He will add inputs and suggestions, we all look up to him,” said Bumrah who will be the vice-captain of the India ODI team for the series against South Africa.
Virat Kohli Resignation: Jasprit Bumrah declares, ‘Captain or not, Virat Kohli will always remain a leader in our group’
“See, I cannot speak for everyone, but for me, I can say it does not make that of a difference. We all are here to help in whatever way we can, and that is how everyone is responding to the changes. We understand how the process is going, change is the only constant. I do not think anybody is facing a problem or is in a weird space with the change that is taking place. Everyone in the team is quite positive and eager to contribute,” he added.
India and South Africa will lock horns in a three-match ODI series, with the first match set to be played on Wednesday in Paarl.
Virat Kohli Resignation: Jasprit Bumrah declares, ‘Captain or not, Virat Kohli will always remain a leader in our group’
