Virat Kohli steps down as India Test captain one day after series defeat against South Africa

Virat Kohli sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity on Saturday when he announced his decision to step down as the captain of the Indian cricket team in the Test format.

Kohli, who signs off as the most successful Indian Test captain, announced his decision on Twitter a day after India suffered a second consecutive seven-wicket defeat to surrender the three-Test series to South Africa by a 2-1 margin.

India had begun the series with a 113-run victory in Centurion, but suffered near-identical defeats in Johannesburg and Cape Town that extended their wait for a maiden Test series win on South African soil.

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— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022

Kohli had taken over the role midway during the 2014-15 tour of Australia after previous leader MS Dhoni took everyone by surprise by announcing his Test retirement after the second Test.

In the 68 matches that he has led the country in the format in the last seven years, India have won 40, lost 17 and drawn 11, making him the fourth most successful captain of all time behind South Africa’s Graeme Smith (53 wins) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (48 wins) and Steve Waugh (41 wins).

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