Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has announced that he will step down after the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021. He took to his Twitter handle stating that the decision was made after discussions with head coach Ravi Shastri, his limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma, and the selectors. He also stated that he has informed BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on the same.
“I have given everything to the Team during my time as T20 Captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 Team as a batsman moving forward,” Kohli wrote. “Of course, arriving at this decision took a lot of time. After a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people, Ravi bhai and also Rohit, who have been an essential part of the leadership group, I’ve decided to step down as the T20 Captain after this T20 World Cup in Dubai in October.”
“I have also spoken to the secretary Mr Jay Shah and the President of BCCI Mr Sourav Ganguly along with all the selectors about the same. I will continue to serve Indian Cricket and the Indian Team to the best of my ability,” said the statement.
This comes three days before the start of the IPL 2021 in the UAE, where he will captain the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). It is understood from the statement that Kohli will continue to captain India in Tests and ODIs.
It was 2017, Kohli took over the captaincy of Indian Cricket team and he has stated that the pressures of being an all-format player and captain have finally caught up with him, and that he will step down as T20I captain at the end of the World Cup, which will be his first and last as an India captain.
However, cricketers, officials, minister, influencers and even netizens exploded with Tweets soon after Virat made this announcement. Under the hashtags #ViratKohli, #TeamIndia, #KingKohli, #T20I, here is how Twitter reacted to Virat Kohli’s decision:
BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted saying that Virat will continue as a player and as a senior member of the side in shaping the future course of Indian cricket.
Thanks @imVKohli for your contribution as the #TeamIndia captain. As a young talent the focus and determination you have showed as the captain is unmatched. The most impressive aspect was the way of maintaining balance between captaincy and individual performance.
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) September 16, 2021
Rajeev Shukla, Former Minister, Vice-President BCCI, Member Congress Working Committee, former Chairman IPL applauded on Virat’s contribution to The Indian T20 cricket team.
Virat Kohli’s contribution to the Indian T20 cricket team as captain was immense. It can never be forgotten. This is his personal decision and we respect it. @imVkohli @BCCI https://t.co/JtGIcJBkom
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) September 16, 2021
Official Twitter page of Royal Challengers Bangalore has defined Kohli as a fearless and selfless leader who always puts his team ahead of himself.
Captain Kohli has decided to give up captaincy of ?? in T20Is after the #T20WorldCup in ??.
A fearless and selfless leader who always puts the team ahead of himself. ??#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/MUpFtxtqTG
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) September 16, 2021
One last dance as #TeamIndia‘s T20 captain! ???
We #Believe in you, skip. Let’s bring that ICC #T20WorldCup ? home! ??#ViratKohli #KingKohli #T20I pic.twitter.com/cyvgzeoQnZ
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 16, 2021
This is really heartbreaking but lets respect his decision
We all love you Virat
One of the best cricketers of our generations
I’ll always be your fan sir? https://t.co/eukXQ25U45— Ashish Chanchlani (@ashchanchlani) September 16, 2021
Virat’s intensity was insane. I had thought he would give up the captaincy of #RCB which would give him two months off as leader. Hopefully this can give his mind the rest it needs and who knows, find him another peak as a T20 batsman.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 16, 2021
Not entirely unexpected. Many Stories swirling around, pressure was building up. whether Kohli felt he was being pushed into a corner and played this hand I don’t know but good decision all things considered. Reduced burden on him and gives team a fresh mind to lead https://t.co/GeVoEO3AVu
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 16, 2021