Reports: Virat Kohli rejected the offer of playing his 100th Test as India's skipper in Bengaluru

In what can be called a major development, Virat Kohli was offered a farewell Test as captain before he stepped down from the position. Although the 33-year-old resigned as India’s Test skipper a day after losing the three-match Test series to South Africa by 2-1, it has now been reported that the batting maestro was given an option of playing his final Test as India’s captain in his 100th game in the format.

A senior BCCI official reportedly offered a farewell match as captain to Kohli in Bengaluru during a phone call on Friday. Owing to the fact that Bangalore is his second home due to the RCB factor, this would’ve been a fitting end to his stint as India’s captain in the longest format of the game. However, the batting maestro denied it, and wasn’t interested in the offer.

“One match makes no difference. That’s not how I am,” is what Virat Kohli is known to have said according to Hindustan Times. Thus, this means that his tenure as India’s Test skipper ended with a series defeat. This report further stated that he wanted to give up the pressures and responsibilities that come as captain to focus on batting.

At the time of making this decision public, the Delhi batter spoke with head coach Rahul Dravid, his teammates in the dressing room at Newlands cricket ground, and then to BCCI.

I have always believed in giving my 120 per cent in everything: Virat Kohli

It was on Saturday (January 15) when Virat Kohli took to social media to announce his decision to quit the Test captaincy. He released a statement, which conveyed the decision, and also gave an overview of his seven-year journey as the Test captain. It is to be noted that the legend is statistically India’s most successful skipper in red-ball cricket.

“I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to lead my country for such a long period of time and more importantly, to all the teammates who bought into the vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guys have made this journey so memorable and beautiful.

“To Ravi bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life. Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni who believed in me as a captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian Cricket forward,” read a part of his statement.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is in no hurry to announce India’s new skipper in the longest format of the game. The board is expected to announce Kohli’s successor closer to the Test series against Sri Lanka. Either KL Rahul or Rohit Sharma are expected to be handed the responsibility.