'Thank you for the sweat and blood' - Bollywood reacts as Virat Kohli steps down as India

Virat Kohli has stepped down as India’s Test captain and the entire cricket world is in shock. The talismanic cricketer took to social media platforms on Saturday (January 15) and informed about his major decision. Kohli’s announcement came a day after India’s Test series defeat against South Africa. While a section fans have been speculating the reasons behind the decision, others need time to digest that fact that Kohli has played his last game as India’s captain across formats.

The 33-year-old left white-ball captaincy last month. While it was his decision to quit T20I captaincy, the BCCI selectors removed him from the role in ODIs in order to get a single limited-overs skipper in Rohit Sharma. However, as far as Test captaincy is concerned, Kohli never seemed like leaving the role. Needless to mention, Twitterverse went in a frenzy following Kohli’s announcement.

 Virat Kohli ends as India’s most successful Test captain

It must be noted that Kohli ends as India’s most successful Test captain, having led India to 40 wins in 68 Test matches. He’s third in the overall list. Leadership is something which indeed brought the best out of Kohli. He slammed not one but twin centuries on his Test captaincy debut against Australia in 2014. Well, that was just a start as what followed next is India’s rise as Test giants.

Kohli led the team from the front and took India to one memorable win after another. In fact, the batter slammed seven double centuries as Test captain. Meanwhile, Kohli’s dominance wasn’t just in home Tests. In 2019, the right-handed batter became the first Asian captain to win a Test series on Australian soil. He also earned success in West Indies, England and South Africa.

Owing to all these factors, it’s hard to believe Kohli’s days as Indian skipper are done and dusted. Fortunately for Indian cricket, he’ll continue to serve the national team as a player. Meanwhile, many Bollywood celebrities have reacted to Kohli’s major announcement. While many expressed their sadness, several also congratulated him for enjoying a sensational run as Indian captain.

Meanwhile, let’s look at B-Town celebs reacted to Virat Kohli’s resignation as Test captain:

Aye Captain. Thank You. For the sweat. The blood. The tears of joy. For making us a relentless winning force anywhere in the world. For taking bouncers on the chin for us & making us No.1. Teary eyed but Grateful forever #GOAT @imVkohli 🙏 Keep winning for India pic.twitter.com/4AIDKfCG57

— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) January 15, 2022

🤗🤗🤗 https://t.co/A0Buu4npj3

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) January 16, 2022

Virat you are a leader in the truest sense of the word. ❤️ 🇮🇳 https://t.co/OVA76YMHq8

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) January 15, 2022

Why yaar? @imVkohli you are an amazing captain and have served our nation so well. You have many many more years of cricket in you and a captains mind. I do hope this decision is short lived. Yet,one respects your decision. Thank you for all the incredible memories. #ViratKohli

— arjun rampal (@rampalarjun) January 15, 2022

Didn’t see this coming…The most successful Indian test captain ever, says it all. He played with aggression & always went for the win. I’m waiting to see the King back in all whites dominating with his bat. Thankyou captain! #ViratKohli

— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) January 15, 2022

It's been a phenomenal journey to being the world's #1 test team & making winning series overseas a wonderful habit, but as they say, all good things come to an end. Here's to you Captain King Kohli, take a bow & now unleash your bat without the extra weight & flyy#ViratKohli https://t.co/8nVqYgB9Hi

— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) January 15, 2022

No wonder they call him KING KOHLI Under your captaincy India reached great heights, dear @imVkohli thank you for making us so so proud. India’s heart beats for KOHLI. https://t.co/EcmS1BsZ0X

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) January 15, 2022