Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Sport

Virat Kohli steps down as India Test cricket captain after 68 matches since 2014

Virat Kohli lost only 17 of his 68 Tests as India captain. (AP: Ian Walton)

India's cricket superstar Virat Kohli will no longer be his nation's Test cricket captain.

Fresh off a series loss in South Africa, Kohli made his announcement on social media. 

"It's been [seven] years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction," he wrote. 

"Everything has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test Captain of India, it's now."

Despite quitting as captain, Kohli is expected to remain in the side as an upper-order batsman.

Kohli first captained the Test side in 2014 in the opening Test of the series against Australia in Adelaide, a match remembered as the first after the death of opening batsman Philip Hughes. 

He scored a century in both innings of the game, which Australia ultimately won by 48 runs. 

Took over captaincy from MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni came back as captain for the next two Test matches in the series before Kohli took over full-time ahead of the final Test. 

After that, he became India's most successful Test captain. 

Kohli led his nation in 68 Test matches, the most of any India player. 

As captain, he won 40 matches, lost 17 and drew 11.

He led India to their first Test series win in Australia in 2018-19.

"There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey, but never has there been a lack of effort or lack of belief," he wrote. 

Kohli said he knew it was the right time to step down as captain as he could no longer give "120 per cent".

He also praised his predecessor, whom he said showed faith in him early on. 

The 33-year-old has played a total of 99 Tests since making his debut in 2011. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.