New Delhi: A day after Virat Kohli stepped down as captain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday termed him as “one of the finest captains of all time”, saying it is his personal decision which is respected by the cricket body. Kohli on Saturday ended his seven-year captaincy career as India’s most successful captain. A day earlier, the Indian team had lost the series 1-2 to South Africa.
Under Kohli’s leadership, India played 68 Test matches out of which it won 40. Under his leadership, the team registered memorable victories in England and Australia. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said in a statement, “I personally express my gratitude to Virat for his immense contribution as the captain of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, the Indian cricket team made rapid strides in all formats of the game. His decision is personal and BCCI fully respects it.”
“He will continue to be a very important member of this team and will take the team to new heights with his contribution in batting while playing under a new captain. Every good thing has an end and it has a happy ending.” Kohli’s strained relationship with the BCCI recently made headlines when the star batsman stepped down from T20 captaincy and was later sacked as ODI captain. Ganguly had said that he had requested Kohli not to step down as the captain of the T20 team, which was denied by Kohli.
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Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain. He is followed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27 wins) and Ganguly (21 wins). BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said, “Virat Kohli has been one of the finest captains of the Indian cricket team. His record and contribution as a captain is second to none. Under his leadership, India won 40 Test matches which is a testament to how brilliantly he led.”
“We wish Virat all the best for the future and hope he continues to contribute to the Indian team,” he added. Under Kohli, India won the first Test series in Australia in 2018 and the series in the West Indies and secured the number one position in the Test rankings. Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the first ICC World Test Championship in 2021. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said, “A cricketer like Virat is born once in ages and Indian cricket is fortunate to have a captain like him.
He captained the team with passion and aggressive style and was instrumental in India’s many memorable victories at home and abroad. We wish him all the best for his future career.” Kohli is fourth behind South Africa’s Graeme Smith (53) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) in the list of captains with most wins in Test cricket.
BCCI Treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal said, “Virat has sacrificed everything for the team as a captain with the spirit of never giving up and his stellar record speaks volumes. As captain, he ensured that India always strived to excel and dominate world cricket.” Like limited overs, Rohit Sharma can be appointed captain in place of Kohli in Test cricket. (agency)