Virat Kohli To Step Down As Team India's T20I Captain After ICC T20 World Cup, Twitter In Shock

Virat Kohli on Thursday announced through his social media accounts that he would step down as T20I captain of the Indian cricket team at the end of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman, scheduled to be held from October 17 to November 14. The 32-year-old star cricketer said stepping down from the position would allow him to focus on being "fully ready" to lead the Indian team in Tests and ODIs. Kohli, who had taken over captaincy in the limited-overs formats after MS Dhoni's resignation from the role in 2017, will be leading India at the T20 World Cup for the first time next month. He has in the past been part of the teams that reached the final of the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup and the semi-final of the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup, respectively.

Kohli's move surprised fans, cricketers and pundits alike and many took to social media to react to the announcement. 

"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," wrote cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle on his Twitter account. 

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

BCCI secretary Jay Shah thanked Kohli for his contribution as captain. "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," he tweeted.

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

"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," tweeted BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla. 

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

"Best wishes for the T20 World Cup. I am sure you will bring glory to the country," wrote former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, replying to Kohli's tweet. 

Best wishes for the T20 World Cup. I am sure you will bring glory to the country.

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 16, 2021

Here are some of the other tweets: 

@imVkohli we are with you in your Decision. I am sure we will win this #worldcup under your captaincy.
Wish you All the best.#captaincy https://t.co/ynX37TrO0z

— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) September 16, 2021

Congrats Dear @ImVkohli for your contribution as Skipper in T20Is and let's win the T20 WC 2021 #MentorDhoni #CaptainVirat@MSDhoni | #MSDhoni | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/9kHehZwyou

— DHONI Trends (@TrendsDhoni) September 16, 2021

Mission 2021 : T20 World Cup @MSDhoni @ImVkohli #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/8FTprulZDB

— DHONIsm (@DHONIism) September 16, 2021

We @MSDhoni fans
Always with you man @ImVkohli

— MSDian (@ItzThanesh) September 16, 2021

Kohli is currently in the UAE where he will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore for the remainder of their IPL 2021 campaign. 
 

Topics mentioned in this article

ICC T20 World Cup 2021 India Cricket Team Virat Kohli Cricket