'A big brave call' - Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli announces decision to step down as T20I skipper

Indian captain Virat Kohli has decided to step down as the T20I captain after the 2021 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 18 to November 14. Certain recent reports were suggestive regarding the possibility of the development, which were all brought to a close when BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal rubbished them as “media-created”.

However, Kohli took to Instagram on September 16 to announce the decision, which by his own admission, took him a “lot of time” to arrive at. He cited “workload” and giving himself “space” to lead in Test and ODI cricket as the reasons behind the decision.

“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,” he wrote.

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

“Of course, arriving at this decision took a lot of time. After a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people. Ravi [Shastri] bhai and also Rohit [Sharma], 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.”

Kohli, who has been leading the nation in all three formats since 2018, and in Tests since 2014, has won 27 of the 45 T20Is he has skippered India in. Any official confirmation regarding who would take over at the helm remains awaited.

Meanwhile, after Kohli decision, Cricket Twitter reacted in plenty:

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

Virat Kohli as captain in T20I:

Matches – 45
Wins – 27
Lost – 14
Win % – 65.11

While having such a great record, it takes lots of heart to step down as the captain at the age of 32. All the best in ODI and Test format as a captain.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 16, 2021

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

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) September 16, 2021

Hope your T20 captaincy ends with the world cup title. All the best King.

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) September 16, 2021

Unlucky that no T20 World Cup happened during early years of your captaincy when you were batting like an alien. Hopefully you end it on a high in this World Cup. Best wishes and congratulations on a highly decorated career as India's T20 Captain.

— Ricky talks cricket (@CricRicky) September 16, 2021

This is not acceptable yaar literally can't don't leave captaincy like this man

— Dhoni 🦁💛 (@Shalvi_Rajput07) September 16, 2021

Impressed with the planned Transition process. Virat Informed it prior, Rohit already chosen as next captain and Dhoni joins the squad to mentor the new captain… Nicely done..it wont affect the team much. #ViratKohli https://t.co/yfGkunmJbC

— Flawlessly Flawed 🦋 (@flawless_005) September 16, 2021

That is a big brave call. Virat loves and wishes to focus on the team’s performance in the longest format. Big achievement for him has been the increased fitness level of the entire squad. Good luck for the road ahead @imVkohli @ImRo45 @RaviShastriOfc #TeamIndia #ViratKohli https://t.co/w0EpSOKGUA

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) September 16, 2021

Perfect timing from Kohli. This issue is closed and he has put a full stop to it in the best interests of the team. Time to talk only about cricket.

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) September 16, 2021

The announcement could have come after the #T20WorldCup but I think getting this out of the way might help Kohli free up his mind and play more freely.

— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) September 16, 2021

Good step by @imVkohli giving up T20 captaincy but when he does so he should also let his successor take charge in 50-over cricket, if not all formats?#ViratKohli #cricket

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 16, 2021

WT20 is Virat's playground. First and the last one as a skipper. Win it, legend.

— Manya (@CSKian716) September 16, 2021

Led India to T20I series wins in
– Australia (2-1 in 2020)
– England (2-1 in 2018)
– South Africa (2-1 in 2018)
– New Zeland (5-0 in 2020)
– West Indies (3-0 in 2019)
– Sri Lanka (1-0 in 2017)

Test series wins in South Africa & New Zealand and ODI series win in England remain. https://t.co/QohfdHKyD1

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) September 16, 2021

India under Virat Kohli in the last 10 T20I series:

3-2 (won v ENG)✅
2-1 (won v AUS)✅
5-0 (won v NZ)✅
2-0 (won v SL)✅
2 -1 (won v WI)✅
1-1 (drawn v SA)🤝
2-0 (won v WI)✅
2-0 (lost v AUS)❌
1-1 (drawn v AUS)🤝
2-1 (won v ENG)✅#ViratKohli #CricketTwitter

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 16, 2021

Most successful T20I captains
(min 40 mts)
Win% – Captain (Mts-Won-Lost-Nr)
80.77 – Asghar Afghan (52-42-10-0)
64.44 – Virat Kohli (45-29-14-2)
62.50 – Faf du Plessis (40-25-15-0)
60.94 – Eoin Morgan (64-39-24-1)
59.57 – Darren Sammy (47-28-17-2)
58.33 – MS Dhoni (72-42-28-2)

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 16, 2021

Searching for that BCCI official who said that there is no talk on Virat Kohli's as Captain#ViratKohli#captaincy pic.twitter.com/k4SgeFOBWv

— Shweta Jain (@shwetajain_cric) September 16, 2021

Wow this is true after all. Big news! #CricketTwitter https://t.co/dyLIrouS2B

— Abhinav mukund (@mukundabhinav) September 16, 2021