Did BCCI Force Virat Kohli to Step Down as Test Captain or Did He Do It Himself?

Cricket's biggest controversies often surround the leadership of the Indian national team, and none more so than the decision by Virat Kohli to step down as the Test captain. The question that has baffled fans and experts alike is whether this was a decision he made on his own or whether Bharat Cricket Control Board (BCCI) put pressure on him to resign. The timeline of events leading to this decision is complex, involving various factors and interests at play.

Controversial Resignation

When Virat Kohli announced his resignation as Test captain of the Indian cricket team, it sparked a wave of debate and speculation. According to Sanjay Manjrekar, a renowned cricket commentator, Kohli was aware that he might be removed as Test captain after the series defeat against South Africa. Even if this information is true, it is hard to reconcile with the notion that BCCI or anyone else would force a player who was doing so well into resigning. Kohli has a strong track record as a Test captain, leading the team to numerous successful tours and series.

Pressure from BCCI

What is clear is that there were significant pressures mounting on Kohli and the Indian team from the BCCI through various endeavors. The times when Kohli was removed from ODI and T20 captaincy, and then again from ODI captaincy, were marked by immense pressure and controversy. Kohli’s resignation as T20 captain in a few months was seen as a strategic move to focus on ODI and Test captaincy, but it was also a move that suggested he was already under immense strain.

Humiliation and Resignation

The timeline leading up to Kohli's resignation includes multiple humiliations and allegations of misguidance on his part. He was stripped of his Test captaincy, had his performance deliberately misguidance, and was made to feel as though his achievements were subpar. The series defeat against South Africa followed by a humiliating 36 all out in a test, where his team won the series, only added to the frustration. When Kohli demanded to open in the T20 World Cup, his team immediately dropped him from the captaincy, further indicating a pattern of discontent and disregard.

Struggles and Self-Resignation

Throughout, the bowling attack was criticized, and Kohli started bowling himself in desperation, a sign of his growing dissatisfaction with the team setup. The mid-T20 World Cup incident, where the Pakistani assault led to Kohli being forced to resign, followed by a last-minute stripping from the ODI captaincy, all added layers to the controversy. These series of events suggest that while BCCI may not have directly forced Kohli to resign, their interference in his career and the team's overall performance had a profound impact on his mindset and performance.

Conclusion

Whether or not BCCI directly forced Virat Kohli to step down as the Test captain, the events leading up to his resignation highlight a larger issue within Indian cricket. The controversy surrounding this decision serves as a reminder of the significant influence that the BCCI has over cricket in India. As Kohli steps back from Test captaincy, the focus now is on the long-term impact on the team and the future of cricket in India.