Virat Kohli departs as India’s Test captain but his legacy will live on

Virat Kohli has exited the premises. On and off the field, India's most outspoken captain announced his departure from the Test team via social media. Kohli had spoken to the media the day before after India's 2-1 series loss to South Africa in the Cape Town Test, but he made no mention of stepping down. There was no notification from India's Board of Control for Cricket, not even a tweet or a press release. Kohli called it when he thought the time was perfect.

In his time as Test captain Kohli led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 and losing only 17. Statistically he is India’s most successful captain. Globally, too, he stands tall. Only South Africa’s Graeme Smith (53 wins) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41) have a better record as skipper.

Kohli has created a legacy that will most likely outlast him. This is a picture of an Indian team that can and will win in any circumstance. Kohli's ambition for the team when he took over as captain was for them to win in Australia and England. He accomplished both by establishing a fast-bowling infrastructure in Indian cricket that had previously been lacking.

Last December, India's selectors decided to unify the white-ball captaincy, which meant Kohli relinquishing his 50-over captaincy to Rohit Sharma. After India's 2-1 loss to South Africa, the most influential man in Indian cricket, and by extension world cricket, appeared to have finally gotten the message. Kohli ion Saturday on his social media announced:

"It’s been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction,” Kohli posted in his retirement statement. “I’ve done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there. Everything 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,” he added. “I have always believed in giving my 120% in everything I do and, if I can’t do that, I know it’s not the right thing to do. I have absolutely clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team.”

Virat Kohli will continue to play for India in all formats and will further go on to cement his legacy which we look forward to here at Pop Fever.