When Virat Kohli Broke Everyone's Heart by Stepping Down as Captain in Red-Ball Cricket
Virat Kohli stepped down as the captain in red-ball cricket [Twitter.com]
Back on January 15, 2022, the world witnessed a groundbreaking shift as Virat Kohli, the fiery and charismatic captain of the Indian Test team, made an unexpected announcement. On this day, Kohli decided to relinquish his role as the captain in red-ball cricket, marking the end of a remarkable seven-year captaincy journey.
The news came as a bolt from the blue, especially after Kohli's stellar leadership that had propelled India to new heights in the longest format of the game. Kohli led the team in 68 Test matches, surpassing the record previously held by the legendary MS Dhoni. His success rate of 58.8%, with 40 wins under his belt, established him as India's most successful Test captain.
The decision to step down came in the aftermath of a hard-fought Test series against South Africa, where India faced a 2-1 defeat. Kohli, known for his unwavering commitment and indomitable spirit, expressed his sentiments, saying,
"I’ve left nothing out there. Everything has to come to a halt at some stage, and for me as Test captain of India, it’s now."
The captaincy baton was then passed to Rohit Sharma, as Kohli's era concluded, and a new chapter began in Indian red-ball cricket. It was a moment that left fans in anticipation, wondering how Sharma would carry forward the legacy of a captain who not only led with tactical brilliance but also exemplified determination on the field.
Kohli's captaincy was more than just numbers; it was a saga of records and milestones. His average of 55.36 with the bat during his captaincy tenure underscored his ability to lead by example. Kohli recorded the most Test wins at home, notching up 24 victories, and his tally of 20 Test centuries, including seven double centuries, showcased his batting prowess.
 "Rajgeeta")
