Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri responded to Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as captain of the Indian Test team on Saturday.
Shastri took to Twitter to post a photo of him with Kohli from the time when the combo were at the wheel of affairs of the Indian men’s cricket team. In his post Shastri cited that it is a “sad day” for him.
Shastri’s period as head coach concluded following the climax of India’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup in November previous year.
Kohli steps down as the most triumphant Indian Test captain ever with 40 wins under his belt, the last of which came in the first Test versus South Africa in Centurion.
“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 – @imVkohli,” Shastri cited in his tweet.
Kohli and Shastri’s alliance in Test cricket dates back to the time when Kohli was recruited full time captain in the longest format in 2015.
At that instant Shastri was in his tour of duty as Team Director. India triumphed an away series in Sri Lanka and then messed up then world number 1 Test team South Africa 3-0 at home.
Shatri reappeared as head coach of the team in July 2017. He and Kohli then teamed up to resume the winning run at home and also achieved two historic Test series in Australia.
Shastri and Kohli’s wish to win an ICC trophy together agonized a major bump as India lost in the semi-final of the 2019 ICC World Cup and the ICC World Test Championship final previous year.
