Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as Test captain was personal, BCCI respects it immensely: Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly has clarified that Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as India’s Test captain was personal and the Indian board respects his call.

Kohli send down shocking waves in the cricketing world when he decided to quit as India’s Test captain on Saturday after India lost the Test series against South Africa by 2-1.

Earlier, before the T20 World Cup, Kohli had revealed that he will step down as India’s T20I captain after the conclusion of the T20I showpiece. Subsequently, the Indian selectors thought it won’t make much sense to have two different white-ball captains, and thus they decided to sack Kohli from the ODI captaincy.

After Kohli’s decision to relinquish his Test captaincy duties, there have been talks that BCCI played a part in Kohli’s call. Ganguly heaped praise on Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket as a Test captain and squashed such rumors.

“Under Virat’s leadership, Indian cricket has made rapid strides in all formats of the game ..his decision is a personal one and BCCI respects it immensely ..he will be an important member to take this team to newer heights in the future. A great player. well done ..@BCCI @imVkohli,” Ganguly said in his tweet.

Meanwhile, Kohli took India cricket to new heights as a leader in the red-ball format and he has definitely left a legacy. Kohli led the national team in 68 Test matches out of which the side won 40 matches, lost 17 and drew 11 games. Thus, Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain.

Furthermore, Kohli led India in 36 overseas Test matches out of which the team won 16 matches and lost 14 while six of the games ended in a draw. Ergo, the team savored great success in overseas conditions under the leadership of Virat Kohli and the maiden series win in Australia in 2018-19 was the highlight of his captaincy.

India will now take on South Africa in three-match ODI series.