Cricket-Kohli resigns as Indian test captain

(Reuters) -Virat Kohli shocked the Indian cricket world on Saturday by abruptly resigning as the national team’s test captain after leading the team to memorable foreign victories during his seven-year lead.

The 33-year-old, considered one of the best beaters of his era, announced on Twitter his decision the day after India’s 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.

“It’s been seven years of hard work, hard work and relentless perseverance every day to steer the team in the right direction. I have done the job completely honestly and I did not leave anything out, ”Kohli said in a statement.

“Everything has stalled at some point and for me as the test captain of India it is now. There have been many ups and downs along the way, but there has never been a lack of effort or faith. “

The top hitter has had a difficult relationship with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) since he resigned as captain of the Twenty20 after last year’s World Cup.

It also paid him one day as captain when BCCI installed Rohit https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/kohli-loses-odi-captaincy-rohit-named-indias-white-ball-skipper- 2021-12 -08 / #: ~: text = NEW% 20DELHI% 2C% 20Dec% 208% 20 (Reuters, South% 20Africa% 20later% 20this% 20month Sharma as captain in both short forms.

Kohli, who took the lead in 2014, led India in a record 68 test matches, winning 40 and losing 17.

“BCCI congratulates # TeamIndia captain @imVkohl on his admirable leadership qualities that took the test team to unprecedented heights,” the Indian government wrote on Twitter.

BCCI officials were not immediately available to confirm who would take India as the next test captain, even though the name of the opening player KL Rahul has already begun to make rounds.

Government Secretary Jay Shah wrote on Twitter after Kohl’s surprise announcement: “The posts made the team an unscrupulous fitness unit that performed admirably in both India and away. Test wins in Australia and England have been special.

(Report by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru; edited by Hugh Lawson)