Virat Kohli on Saturday (January 15) dropped a bomber on Twitter where he announced that he is stepping down from the Test captaincy. For many this news came down as an absolute shocker. Meanwhile former India head coach Ravi Shastri led the tribute on Twitter where while showering praise on Kohli he termed Kohli India's most aggressive and successful captain.
"Virat, you can go with your head held high. Few have achieved what you have as captain. Definitely India's most aggressive and successful. Sad day for me personally as this is the team we built together," Shastri tweeted.
The duo of Virat & Shastri has achieved a lot together for Indian cricket. Shastri had become India's director in 2014 for a period of eight months. He was removed in 2016, but returned the head coach of the Indian team on July 13, 2017, reuniting with Kohli to forge a cracking partnership.
Under the Virat-Shastri's guidance, India scripted history by becoming the first Asian team to beat Australia in a Test series in their own backyard.
Though Kohli was not around for the full duration of the tour, Shastri and his stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane guided the team admirably in the absence of the regular skipper, as India defeated Australia to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the second successive time.
India made it to the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship under the captaincy of Kohli and Shastri's guidance. However, Virat Kohli & Co. lost the final by eight wickets as New Zealand were crowned champions.
India were the best team in the group stages of the 2019 ICC World Cup and had topped the points table. However, the Men in Blue faced a heartbreaking defeat against New Zealand in the semi-final to bow out of the tournament.
Under Shastri's watch, India won a T20I series in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia.
Shastri also oversaw a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in 2017, the first time they achieved such a feat.
India also inflicted a whitewash on West Indies in a Test series in the Caribbean for the first time.
During their time, India formed a potent pace bowling unit that shone in all conditions and against the best in the world.
42 months at the top of Test ranking: Under coach Shastri and skipper Kohli, the Indian team became a force to reckon with in Test cricket, holding on to the number one ranking in the world for 42 months from 2016 to 2020.
Meanwhile, former India players like Suresh Rain, Wasim Jaffer, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha and BCCI secretary Jay Shah also took to Twitter to pay their tribute to the Delhi-born cricketer.
Raina said he is shocked by Virat's announcement but he respects his decision.
"Although I also am shocked by @imVkohli sudden decision, I respect his call. I can only applaud him for what he has done for world cricket & India. Easily one of the most aggressive and fittest players India has had. Hope he’d continue to shine for India as a player," his tweet said.
Wasim Jaffer was also all praise for the former India captain.
"When Virat took over as Test captain, India winning a test overseas was an achievement, now if India lose an overseas test series it is an upset. And that's how far he has taken Indian cricket forward, and that will be his legacy. Congratulations on successful reign @imVkohli," Jaffer tweeted.
Meanwhile, Pathan said that Virat's name will always be up there whenever the talk of Indian cricket captains will arise.
"Whenever the talk of Indian cricket captains will arise in test cricket
@imVkohli's name will be up there,not only for results but the kind of impact he had as a captain. Thank you #ViratKohli," he tweeted.
Pragyan also extended the praise in Virat's name.
"Indian cricket always had a leader who added a different value to the team and inculcated some of their characteristics to make a difference. Virat will always be remembered as an aggressive leader who changed the way everyone looked at fitness. #thankyouVirat," his tweet read.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah congratulated Virat on a tremendous tenure as India's captain.
"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," he tweeted.
