India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has opened up on Virat Kohli’s decision to step down from Test captaincy, saying the 33-year-old batsman informed his teammates in the team meeting and everyone respected his decision.
Kohli stepped down as India’s Test captain a day after India’s loss to South Africa in the third Test in Cape Town. The 33-year-old led India for more than seven years, taking the reins in the longest format for MS Dhoni in December 2014. He resigned as India’s most successful Test captain, winning 40 and losing 17 in a record 68 Tests in which he led the team.
“Look, I’m not here to judge Virat’s decision to step down from Test captaincy. It’s a personal decision, we respect his decision. He knows how his body is reacting and what mental state he is in. I respect it. , It’s a great pleasure to play under Virat Kohli, I made my Test debut under him. He brings a lot of energy to the team. He will always be a leader in the group and his contribution will always be there. Has been huge,” Bumrah said during the virtual press conference.
Asked when Team India members came to know about Virat’s decision, Bumrah said: “We are close as a team unit, we got to know about his decision in the team meeting that he is going to Test. Will stand as captain. We respect his decision, we value his leadership. We congratulate him for what he has achieved as the leader of the side.”
“Virat has been the leader of our team, he is driven by energy and he has brought a lot of change in Indian cricket. Everyone in the team has become fit, his contribution is huge. He is a very important player in the group, helping them And his knowledge of the game will always be used by the team. He will add inputs and suggestions, we all look up to,” said Bumrah, who will be the vice-captain of India’s ODI team for the series against the South. Africa, added.
“Look, I can’t speak for everyone, but for me, I can say it doesn’t matter. We’re all here to help in every way possible, and that’s how everyone else is responding to changes.” We understand how the process is going, change is the only constant. I don’t think anyone is facing a problem or is in a weird spot with the change that is happening. Everyone on the team is very positive and contributing looking forward to,” he said. ,
India and South Africa will face each other in a three-match ODI series, with the first match being played in Paarl on Wednesday.