'I don't see him as a shrewd captain. I don't see him as a tactful captain (tactician). And he hasn't won the IPL. So ultimately, a captain is only as good as his record'
Though Kohli had an exciting challenge ahead of him in the five-Test series in England, the end seemed near for India's most successful Test captain.
Former opener Virender Sehwag on Saturday questioned the Indian team's decision to bench Rishabh Pant during the ongoing five-match T20 International series in New Zealand and wondered if skipper Virat Kohli is properly communicating with the youngster. The 22-year-old Pant has not featured in any match for India since being concussed by a Pat Cummins bouncer during the Mumbai ODI against Australia in January.
It's all for you -- the fans: Kohli, Patidar dedicate RCB's triumph to faithfuls
'Congratulations on an incredibly inspirational Test career and thank you for the memories Champ! @virat.kohli.'
Shubman Gill has described his appointment as India's ODI captain as the "biggest honour", expressing pride in carrying forward the legacy left by Rohit Sharma, who will play under him in the upcoming three-match series in Australia.
Calling it the formal start of Gill's era, Chopra also wondered what the change means for Rohit Sharma, whose place in India's long-term plans could now depend solely on form and fitness.
Virat Kohli's nephew Aryaveer Kohli and Virender Sehwag's son Aaryavir Sehwag were both picked up by different franchises during the auctions held for the Delhi Premier League T20.
The Indian captain lauded Sunrisers Hyderabad for defending 25 runs from 18 balls with Siddarth Kaul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling brilliantly to win the match by five runs.
'At this stage, I want a senior cricketer to take up the captaincy and see the Indian team through this transition phase.'
Gill clashed with England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, accusing them of deliberately wasting time.
Questions will remain as to why he ended his Test career at the age of 36, despite being one of the fittest cricketers, and why he didn't wait to cross the 10,000-run mark, observes veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Fans breaching security cordon to get up close with Virat Kohli is becoming a new norm as a spectator reached up to the India captain during the first day of the ongoing second Test against West Indies in Hyderabad on Friday.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Virat Kohli, who considers Test cricket as the pinnacle, could come out of retirement if India suffer a heavy defeat in the upcoming five-Test series in England.
Shubman Gill on Thursday said he would look to imbibe the 'calmness' that his predecessor Rohit Sharma brought to the dressing room
India's new Test captain Shubman Gill is a mix of his predecessors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but he will be 'very much his own man' in the middle, said Jos Buttler.
Some people criticised Kohli's selection in 2008, they are forgotten now: Jagdale
Sack Gambhir before he damages any more careers, if you must. But it cannot stop there. The project ahead must be bigger, more ambitious, and far more urgent: Rebuilding the spine of Indian cricket from the grassroots up, and giving the Test team the seriousness it deserves. Only then will Indian cricket stop lurching from one crisis to another and begin, once again, to imagine greatness, suggests Prem Panicker.
Over four decades, the India-Australia ODI rivalry has mirrored the evolution of both teams, from Australia's supremacy in the 2000s to India's resurgence post-2010. Come Sunday, this rivalry will be renewed as Shubman Gill will commence his first assignment as ODI captain in the opening game of the three match series, at the Optus stadium in Perth.
Chappell said Kohli's exit from Tests marks a "seismic shift in energy".
The 26 year old rued the dropped catches, which ultimately cost India the match and the series.
Rohit turned back the clock and produced a sizzling 121*(125), to lift India to a nine-wicket win.
Suresh Raina has thrown his weight behind RCB, saying this could finally be the season they break their title drought - and that Virat Kohli might lift the trophy after 18 years of waiting.
Australia's stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh continued his fine run of form on Sunday, scoring 46 not out and leading his side to a seven-wicket triumph over India in the weather-affected first one-day international at Perth Stadium.
In a rare moment of candour, de Villiers admitted that Kohli had ignored him for months last year, after what he calls a "blunder" involving the Indian cricketer's private life.
Yet while "The Don" was always in a world of his own, Kohli has his own Bradmanesque air at the moment.
Kohli has set an example by quitting Tests on high: Childhood coach Sharma
Moeen called Kohli a "pioneer" in Test cricket, adding that his crowd-pulling ability was only second to Sachin Tendulkar.
Shubman Gill is enjoying a 'honeymoon period' as India's Test captain but there will be more pressure on him in the days to come, feels former India skipper Sourav Ganguly.
Virat Kohli notably stayed away from the team huddle during the final timeout -- fueling further speculation about a rift in the leadership group.
The Indian team's heavy reliance on all-rounders will be tested by a plucky Australia in the second ODI but the spotlight will continue to stay firmly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom would look to turn back the clock with series-saving knocks in Adelaide on Thursday.
'...I believe he has all the raw materials to become a really good leader.'
New 'Captain Cool' in Town: Shreyas Iyer could be the leader India needs
Virat Kohli was overcome with emotions as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their long wait for the IPL title.
Virat surprised me, he had at least 2-3 years of Test cricket left in him: Shastri
'It was good fun. I was obviously really nervous. Super stoked for the boys to get the win.'
A probable lack of solution for his recurring struggles with the ball outside the off-stump prompted Virat Kohli to take retirement from Test cricket
'He doesn't play T20 cricket. So, he will not be a part of the World Cup in 2026 in India. But when they go to 2027 in South Africa, he will be 40 years old. And that's a big number in sport.'
Kohli, who announced his red-ball retirement via Instagram earlier this month without a farewell match, received an ovation of a different kind.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed that as captain Rohit Sharma was known to make everyone comfortable around him in the team.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances