Kohli’s Decision: Rohit ‘Shocked’, Ashwin Praises Outgoing Captain’s ‘Legacy’

Mumbai: Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as Team India’s Test captain with immediate effect evoked mixed responses from the cricketing world.

But how did Kohli’s teammates react to his announcement a day after India unexpectedly lost the Test series 1-2 against South Africa?

Rohit Sharma, Kohli’s most likely successor as India’s Test skipper, was ‘shocked’.

“Shocked!! But congratulations on a successful stint as Indian captain. @virat. Kohli,” Rohit posted on Instagram.

Rohit, who has already been named India’s T20I and ODI captain, missed the South Africa tour due to a hamstring injury. While the 33-year-old Kohli stepped down from the T20I leadership role after the World Cup in October-November, selectors removed him from ODI captaincy ahead of the South Africa tour.

Ravichandran Ashwin, on the other hand, praised Kohli and his legacy as captain of the Indian cricket team.

In a series of tweets, the senior off-spinner wrote about the foundation Kohli built for Test success and the ‘headache’ he’s leaving behind for his successor.

“Cricket captains will always be spoken about with respect to their records and the kind of triumphs they managed, but your legacy as a captain will stand for the kind of benchmarks you have set. There will be people who will talk about wins in Australia, England, SL etc etc,” Ashwin wrote.

“Wins are just a result and the seeds are always sown well before the harvest! The seeds you managed to sow is the kind of standard you set for yourself and hence set the expectations straight with the rest of us. Well done @imVkohli on the headache you have left behind for your successor and that’s my biggest takeaway from your stint as captain… We must leave a place at such an altitude that the future can only take it higher from there on,” he continued.

KL Rahul, who led India in the second Test against South Africa in the injured Kohli’s absence, posted a note of gratitude.

“A leader in every sense. Can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve done, Skip. @imVkohli,” the opener wrote.