In early 2022, Virat Kohli has gone from being a skipper in all formats to not being one in any of them. In the wake of the 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa, he announced that he was stepping down from the position. With that, his career as a skipper came to an end.??
The man's record at the international level as captain is one to be proud of. He first led the side in 2013 when filling in as MS Dhoni's deputy. He got the Test captaincy in 2014 when Dhoni retired out of the blue from the format. In 2017, Kohli took over the T20I and ODI formats as well when Dhoni stepped down.
Kohli has led India in 213 games. He has won 135, lost 60, drawn 11, tied 3 while 4 have ended in a no result. In other words, he has been unbeaten in 153 matches which is an unbeaten rate of above 70%.?
Under Kohli, India won their 1st bilateral ODI series in Australia and South Africa along with their 1st Test series in Australia. He was also at the helm when India thrashed New Zealand 5-0 in their own backyard in a T20I series.?
When Kohli took over the Test side, India were ranked 7th and now when he signs off as skipper, we are ranked 1st.?
The only thing lacking in his cabinet is an ICC Trophy. He has come close though. Kohli led India to the 2017 Champions Trophy final, 2019 World Cup semifinal and 2023 World Test Championship final.?
India's most successful captain, easily our most aggressive leader and a man who led by example. In fact, his batting form as a captain only got better. Only in the last year or so has his batting gone down.?
He now begins a new chapter as a player for the second time. Kohli may play with more freedom as he aims to break more records.?
The man may not have won us any trophies, but his record as an India skipper across formats is one that he can be proud of. ?????