Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as India’s Test captain in January 2022 raised eyebrows, with many believing he should have continued in the role. Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar echoed this sentiment, stating that Kohli could have led India in red-ball cricket for a longer period.
Kohli’s tenure as Test captain was marked by unprecedented success. He took over from MS Dhoni in 2014 and led the team in 68 matches, securing 40 victories with a win percentage of 58.82. Under his leadership, India achieved historic milestones, including their maiden Test series triumph in Australia in 2018, victories in the West Indies, and reaching the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021.
Kohli’s home record as captain was particularly impressive, with 24 wins out of 31 Tests played in India, and only two losses. His aggressive and fearless approach inspired the team to numerous memorable victories.
However, Kohli’s decision to step down from the captaincy came as a surprise to many. Bangar believes that Kohli could have continued in the role for longer, given his exceptional leadership qualities and the team’s success under his guidance.
After Kohli’s departure, Rohit Sharma was named India’s skipper in all formats. Both Kohli and Rohit have since retired from T20Is, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the leadership in the shortest format. Rohit continues to lead the team in ODIs and Test cricket.
