Virat Kohli on Saturday announced he is stepping down as captain of India’s Test team, with immediate effect. The announcement came a day after Team India lost the Test series to South Africa 2-1 with a seven-wicket loss in Cape Town.  

“It’s been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there. Every thing has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test Captain of India, it’s now. 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. I have always believed in giving my 120 percent in everything I do, and if I can’t do that, I know it’s not the right thing to do. I have absolute clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team,” the 33-year-old. who led India in 68 Tests between 2014 and 2022 and won 40 out of them, wrote on social media. 

Also Read: Cricket fraternity stunned as Virat Kohli steps down as Team India’s Test Captain

Kohli thanked the BCCI, former skipper MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri in his statement. 

“I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to lead my country for such a long period of time and more importantly to all the teammates who bought into the vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guys have made this journey so memorable and beautiful. To Ravi Bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test Cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life. Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni who believed in me as a captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian Cricket forward,” he wrote. 

Also Read: Is Virat Kohli trying to pull-off a Sachin Tendulkar?

Let’s take a look at India’s last 10 test captains and why they gave up their test captaincy – 

MS Dhoni – Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his Test retirement on December 30, 2014, after his side’s draw with Australia in Melbourne. His decision caught the entire nation off-guard as he did not say anything at the press conference or at the presentation ceremony. Dhoni led India in 60 Tests and won 27 games out of them.

Anil Kumble – MS Dhoni took over the Test captaincy of Team India after Anil Kumble’s retirement in November 2008. Kumble announced his decision at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground after the third Test against Australia.

“It was a very tough decision, especially when you have performed for 18 years and been so competitive. But the body helped me make the decision,” Kumble, who was 38 years old at the time, said at the presentation ceremony after the match ended in a draw. 

Also Read: Virat Kohli steps down as Test captain: A look at his captaincy record in Tests

Rahul Dravid – In September 2007, Rahul Dravid wrote a letter to the BCCI, asking to be relieved of the captaincy before Australia’s tour of India, which was beginning later that month.

“I enjoyed the captaincy, I loved it, but it can get tough after a while and some of the enjoyment can go away. So I thought it was the right time to step aside,” Dravid was quoted as saying by BBC at the time. Dravid had captained India in 20 Tests.

Sourav Ganguly – Considered one of India’s most successful Test captains with 21 wins, Ganguly was replaced as captain in November 2005 after a spat with then-coach Greg Chappell.

“It was the worst year as far as my cricketing career is concerned. I’m really happy that 2005 has passed,” Ganguly told in an interview years later. 

Sachin Tendulkar – Sachin Tendulkar captained the side between 1996 to 2000. He resigned after his batting performance was being affected due to the pressure of leadership. 

“I hated losing and as captain of the team I felt responsible for the string of miserable performances. More worryingly, I did not know how I could turn it around, as I was already trying my absolute best,” Tendulkar recalled in his autobiography, ‘Playing it My Way.’ He led India in 25 Test matches.

Mohammad Azharuddin – Azharuddin had to step down in 1996 after a mediocre tour of England. He led India to 13 Test wins.

“Azhar was removed in 1996 because he was going through a difficult phase in his personal life. He needed to be rested,” Ramakant Desai, chairman of selectors, said at the time. 

Dilip Vengsarkar – Vengsarkar, who led the side in ten Tests, lost his captaincy in 1989 after a controversial tour to the USA to play some festival matches.