Sourav Ganguly, the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said that Virat Kohli‘s decision to step down as the Test captain was a personal one. His statement, on social media, came hours after Kohli dropped a bombshell by quitting from the post, a day after India suffered an unexpected series-defeat against South Africa.

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

Ganguly, who has been allegedly in a tiff with Kohli in the last few months, said that the Indian cricket board respects the former skipper’s decision. 

“Under Virats leadership Indian cricket has made rapid strides in all formats of the game ..his decision is a personal one and bcci respects it immensely ..he will be an important member to take this team to newer heights in the future.A great player.well done,” Sourav Ganguly tweeted. 

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

Jay Shah, the secretary of BCCI, congratulated Kohli on a tremondous tenure.

Jay Shah tweeted, “Congratulations to @imVkohli on a tremendous tenure as #TeamIndia captain. Virat turned the team into a ruthless fit unit that performed admirably both in India and away. The Test wins in Australia & England have been special.”

Kohli finished his tenure, seven years, as India’s most successful captain in the format. Under his leadership, India won two Test series in South Africa and held the Test mane for long periods. 

However, his decision comes in the backdrop of his tense relations with the BCCI which removed him as ODI captain after the star batter himself decided to leave T20 captaincy.

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

The controversy erupted when BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and chief selector contradicted Kohli’s claims that that he was not asked to stay back as T20 captain.

“Every thing has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test captain of India, it’s now,” Kohli wrote in a statement which he posted on Twitter, taking everyone by surprise.

“There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey but there has never been lack of effort or lack of belief.” Interestingly, when Kohli had quit T20 captaincy, he had also posted his message on social media. “It’s been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance everyday to take the team in the right direction. I have done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there,” he wrote in his statement.

Also Read: WTC points table: Where do India stand after series defeat against South Africa?

The 33-year-old was at the centre of controversy during the third Test in South Africa as he vented his anger into the stump mic after a close DRS call for LBW went in favour of opposition skipper Dean Elgar.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he said.