Virat Kohli to step down as T20I captain after 2021 T20 World Cup

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli has decided to step down as T20I captain after the completion of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Kohli took to his Twitter account on Thursday to reveal the news. In fact, there were reports surfacing that Kohli could give up on his limited-overs captaincy after the T20 World Cup in order to concentrate on his batting as he isn’t in the best of forms. But BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal and secretary Jay Shah had denied such reports.

However, Kohli will continue as a leader in the ODI and Test format of the game. Kohli has thus far led India in 45 T20Is in which the team has won 27 matches and have lost 14 while two matches were tied and there was no result in two games.

The Indian captain will aim to take his team to glory in the upcoming T20 World Cup and end his T20I captain stint on a high. Team India hasn’t yet won any major trophy under the leadership of Virat Kohli.

Kohli wants space and he wrote in his Twitter post that he wants to concentrate more on his batting and will give his all as a leader in ODI and Test versions.

“I have been fortunate enough to not only represent India but also lead the Indian Cricket Team to my utmost capability. I thank everyone who has supported me in my journey as the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team. I couldn’t have done it without them – the boys, the support staff, the selection committee, my coaches and each and every Indian who prayed for us to win,” wrote Kohli.

“Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the last 8-9 years playing all 3 formats and captaining regularly for last 5-6 years, I feel I need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead the Indian Team in Test and ODI Cricket. 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.

“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,” he added.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly also heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his contributions to Indian cricket in the shortest format of the game.

“Virat has been a true asset for Indian Cricket and has led with aplomb. He is one of the most successful captains in all formats. The decision has been made keeping in mind the future roadmap. We thank Virat for his tremendous performance as the T20I Captain. We wish him all the best for the upcoming World Cup and beyond and hope that he continues to score plenty of runs for India.”

Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20Is and averages 48.45 as a T20I captain.