Virat Kohli has stepped down as Test captain of India cricket team a day after their 1-2 Test series defeat to South Africa.
Kohli, who took over the reins of the Test side in late 2014, led India to memorable series wins on both home and away tours. He is India’s most successful skipper in the format. Kohli led India in 68 Tests with 40 wins, 17 losses and 11 defeats.
The 33-year-old has led the side with the bat in his period as skipper, having scored 5864 runs with a stunning average of 54.80 with 20 centuries and 18 half-centuries.
“It’s been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I’ve 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 percent in everything I do, and if I can’t do that, I know it’s not the right thing to do. I have absolute clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team,” Kohli said on social media on Saturday evening.
