Virat Kohli resigns: “Everything has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test Captain of India, it’s now,” Virat Kohli sent a shockwave through BCCI corridors after stepping down as the Test captain, thereby relinquishing all captaincy burden he had held for over 7 years. BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal came out first to clarify that the board had put no pressure on him, adding that he could have continued for another 2-3 years.
“Virat Kohli had no pressure from the BCCI or selectors to step down. It’s his decision and we respect that, but he could have carried on for another two to three years as captain,” Arun Dhumal told News9.
Virat Kohli resigns: Arun Dhumal says ‘Virat Kohli could have continued for 2-3 years, had no pressure from BCCI’
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022
However, Virat Kohli’s decision to step down from Test captaincy comes on the backdrop of a month of controversy. Kohli was removed from ODI captaincy ahead of the South Africa tour. BCCI sent out the squad, adding a line in between the squad announcement that he was removed for Rohit Sharma. There was no tweet or congratulatory note for nearly 24 hours.
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said he personally asked Kohli not to step down from T20 captaincy as it could have repercussions on his ODI captaincy. It got ugly when Kohli said he was only informed about the decision 90 minutes before the selection meeting. While BCCI pushed Virat Kohli vs BCCI under the rugs, as it seems the captain wasn’t really happy. He was hurt. But this time, BCCI was one of the first to react on social media.
Virat Kohli resigns: Arun Dhumal says ‘Virat Kohli could have continued for 2-3 years, had no pressure from BCCI’
“Virat beyond doubt is the most successful Indian cricket team captain. We respect his decision and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours as a batter. I am sure under his leadership, mentorship and with his batting skills, Indian cricket would keep doing well,” Arun Dhumal told ANI.
Kohli’s decision to leave Test captaincy came a day after India lost the three-match Test series against South Africa on Friday. The 33-year-old’s biggest win in the longest format came during 2018-19 as India won its first Test series Down Under. Under his captaincy, India also reached the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC).
Virat Kohli resigns: Arun Dhumal says ‘Virat Kohli could have continued for 2-3 years, had no pressure from BCCI’
When asked whether series defeat against South Africa played a role in Virat’s decision, Dhumal said it did not.
“I do not think series loss against South Africa would have weighed that much in his decision. This would have been the first series win in South Africa. There is no Indian Test captain that has won a series in South Africa, so that could not be the case. I am sure he would have thought about his decision, he has been leading the side for seven years. He would have thought that this is the time to give leadership to someone else in the team. He will continue leading with his bat,” he added.
Virat Kohli resigns: Arun Dhumal says ‘Virat Kohli could have continued for 2-3 years, had no pressure from BCCI’
Replying on who can be the next Test captain, Dhumal said: “The decision to appoint a captain is taken by the selectors, not the office bearers. They would discuss among themselves on who will be the next Test captain.”
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.
Virat Kohli resigns: Arun Dhumal says ‘Virat Kohli could have continued for 2-3 years, had no pressure from BCCI’
Kohli had first led the side in Test cricket in 2014 against Australia. His last game as captain was the Cape Town Test in South Africa, which India lost by seven wickets. Filling the shoes of MS Dhoni was not going to be easy, but Kohli took leadership by storm, and quickly cemented himself as one of the best thinkers the country has seen in Test cricket.
The leadership also brought out the best in Kohli and it saw the batter registering seven double-centuries in the longest format of the game. Kohli also holds the record for scoring most Test centuries (20) as India captain.
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