Jan 15, 2022: Virat Kohli shocked the world of cricket by abruptly resigning as the Test captain of the national team on Saturday, after leading the team to memorable victories abroad in his seven years in charge.

The 33-year-old, considered one of the best batsmen of his era, took to Twitter to announce his decision a day after India’s 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.

🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/huBL6zZ7fZ

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022

“It’s been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I have done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” Kohli said in his statement.

“Everything has 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.”

The top-order batsman has had a difficult relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since leaving the T20 captaincy after last year’s World Cup. A situation that cost him the ODI captaincy.

The BCCI appointed Rohit Sharma as the captain in both the short formats. Kohli, who took over the reins in 2014, led India in a record 68 Test matches, winning 40 and losing 17.

The Indian cricket board wrote on Twitter, “BCCI congratulates #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli for his admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights.” BCCI officials were not immediately available for comment on who will take over as India’s next Test captain, though the name of opener KL Rahul has already started circulating.

The board’s secretary Jay Shah wrote on Twitter after Kohli’s surprise announcement: “Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia & England have been special.”

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