Indian
pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj paid rich tributes to Virat Kohli as
the latter stepped down from India Test captaincy last week. Siraj, who plays
for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL, the same franchise Kohli led till 2021,
posted three pictures with him, 1 in the whites, 2 in RCB colours and states
that Kohli will always be his captain.

Also Read: 1st ODI: Focus on Kohli as batter aims to surpass Dravid, join Ganguly

“To
my superhero, I cannot be thankful enough for the support and the encouragement
that I got from you. You have always been my great brother. Thank you for
trusting me and believing in me for all these years. For seeing the great at my
worst. You will always be my captain King Kohli,” wrote Siraj in the post.

Shami
congratulated Kohli on having a “brilliant run as a Team India captain” before
saying he is “the epitome of leadership”. Shami also said Kohli is “the man who
galvanised a team to win overseas”. 

Also Read: It will be an honour to lead India in Tests, says Jasprit Bumrah

“The
epitome of leadership

The
man who galvanised a team to win overseas

Congratulations
on a brilliant run as Team India captain

Looking
forward to more from you with the bat – Go well Virat @imVkohli,” wrote Shami
on Twitter.

Siraj,
who made his Test debut under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy during the Melbourne
Test in 2020, performed brilliantly during India’s tour of Australia 2020-21
and played a key role in India’s 2-1 Test series win. Siraj so far played 12
Tests and took 36 wickets at an average of 29.64.

Also Read: Tends to quit when captaincy under threat: Sanjay Manjrekar on Virat Kohli

Shami
played 57 Tests and took 209 wickets so far. He also played massive roles in
India’s Test series win in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. During the 2019
World Cup, Shami also took a hat-trick against Afghanistan.

Meanwhile,
Rishabh Pant, who is being touted as one of the contenders for the Test
captaincy role, said, “Virat bhai, you have been an amazing leader and an
inspiration, and I know you’ll continue to be one.”

Also Read: One match makes no difference: Kohli rejects BCCI’s farewell match offer

Kohli
led India in 69 Tests and won 40 matches.