Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket superstar, said on Thursday that he will step down as captain in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format following the T20 World Cup, which begins next month in Dubai.
Kohli announced his decision on Twitter, stating that he will continue to skipper the national team in ODIs and Tests, as well as participate in T20Is.
“Given my enormous workload over the previous 8-9 years playing all three forms and captaining frequently for the last 5-6 years, I believe I need to give myself space to be properly prepared to lead the Indian team in Test and ODI cricket,” the player explained.
He went on to say that he had “gave all” to the Indian cricket team during his tenure as T20I captain and will continue to do so as a batter in the future.
Kohli stated that he deliberated for a long time and spoke with his mentors as well as authorities from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
He praised the team’s support personnel, the selection committee, coaches, and “every Indian who hoped for us to win” for their help during his captaincy.
Kohli’s decision comes only days after a top BCCI official stated that he will continue to skipper the team in all three formats of the game.
Because of Kohli’s recent poor batsmanship, there have been rumors that he may be replaced after the T20 World Cup. However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has shown his support to the top player.
“There is no such request [to replace Kohli], and the squad is headed by Virat, and we support him,” Shah stated at the time.
Kohli said earlier this year that he suffered from melancholy and felt like the “loneliest person in the world” after struggling with the bat during a tour of England in 2014.
