BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal hails outgoing Test Captain Virat Kohli;
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer Arun Dhumal said that Virat Kohli is without a doubt the most successful Indian team captain, adding that cricket in the country will continue to prosper under his leadership and batting skills.
Dhumal’s remarks came as India’s Test skipper, Virat Kohli, stepped down after seven years in charge.
“Virat beyond doubt is the most successful Indian cricket team captain. We respect his decision and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours as a batter. I am sure under his leadership, mentorship and with his batting skills, Indian cricket would keep doing well,” Dhumal told ANI.
Virat Kohli’s most significant victory in the longer format came in 2018-19. When India won its first Test series in Australia. India also advanced to the WTC finals under his captaincy.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 15, 2022
When asked whether series defeat against South Africa played a role in Virat’s decision, Dhumal said
“I do not think series loss against South Africa would have weighed that much in his decision. This would have been the first series win in South Africa. There is no Indian Test captain that has won a series in South Africa, so that could not be the case. I am sure he would have thought about his decision, he has been leading the side for seven years. He would have thought that this is the time to give leadership to someone else in the team. He will continue leading with his bat.”
As India’s captain, Kohli has the most Test victories at home. Kohli’s 24th Test win at home came against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium last year.
He stepped down as T20I captain last year. And was later ousted as ODI captain because the selectors preferred a single captain for the white-ball game.