Virat Kohli steps down as India's Test captain after seven years in role
Virat Kohli has stepped down as captain of India's Test team after seven years in the position.
Kohli led the team for 68 matches and won 40 of them, making him India's most successful Test captain.
He made his decision in the wake of India losing a Test series in South Africa 2-1.
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"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," Kohli said in a post on Twitter.
"I have absolute clarity in my heart and I cannot be dishonest to my team."
The Indian cricket board thanked Kohli for his "admirable leadership qualities that took the Test team to unprecedented heights."
Tim Paine of Australia talks to Virat Kohli of India after play. Getty
The feisty top order batsman has had a difficult relationship with the BCCI since stepping down as the Twenty20 captain after last year's World Cup.
That cost him the one-day captaincy as well, with the BCCI installing Rohit Sharma as captain in both the short formats.
"It's been seven years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction. I've done the job with absolute honesty and left nothing out there," Kohli said in his statement.
Indian captain Virat Kohli watches on during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. Getty
"Everything has 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."
BCCI officials were not immediately available to confirm who would take over as India's next Test captain, although opener KL Rahul's name has already started doing the rounds.
The board's secretary Jay Shah wrote on Twitter after Kohli's surprise announcement: "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."
And tributes flowed from around the cricketing world.
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