Opinions
and statements are coming thick and fast since Virat Kohli announced his
decision to step down as India’s Test captain following a 2-1 defeat against South
Africa in the just-concluded Test series in Cape Town.

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

Former
India batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said, “When he (Kohli) gets
that vibe that his captaincy is under threat, he tends to quit”. “He wants to
make himself unsackable as captain,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

“It is
come one after the other in a very short span – giving up captaincy at RCB and
then the white-ball captaincy as well. This also was unexpected, but it is
interesting that all these three resignations of important positions have come
so quickly one after the other,” he added.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar suggests Rishabh Pant’s name for India Test captaincy role

The
56-year-old former cricketer also thinks the change in the coaching panel might
also have played a major role in Kohli’s decision. Manjrekar said Kohli did not
get the same support as he used to get when former head coach Ravi Shastri was
at the helm. Shastri has been replaced by former India captain Rahul Dravid as
India’s new head coach in November.

Also Read: Virat Kohli steps down as India Test captain

“He
was uncomfortable when Anil Kumble was the coach and once Shastri and the
support staff came in, he felt comfortable and was able to enjoy his captaincy.
The new coach (Rahul Dravid) is no Ravi Shastri. He would have got some inkling
of the kind of support he was going to get from him,” he said.

Also Read: Virat Kohli steps down as Test captain: 5 significant moments under his leadership

Manjrekar
also said Kohli’s poor form might also force him to give up on captaincy.

“Clearly,
a guy who finds himself outside his comfort zone. Individually, his batting is
not at its best. All that has just added up. He is not in a great space at the
moment. These are all emotional decisions that one can understand,” said
Manjrekar.

Also Read: Who will be India’s next Test captain as Virat Kohli steps down?

Kohli
will now play in three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting January
19 at Newlands, Cape Town.