Entering the World T20, 2021, Virat Kohli-led India was the crowd-favourite to lift the trophy. With that line-up, it made sense too.
However, what followed was one disaster after another. We lost the opening match to Pakistan and the second game to New Zealand, which reduced our chances of qualifying for the semi-finals to a minimum.
We needed a miracle after that, but the miracle did not happen and the ouster became official on November 7. With that, it also became clear that Virat Kohli’s captaincy in the T20Is will end without a trophy to his name.
It’s match no. 5⃣0⃣ for Virat Kohli as captain of #TeamIndia in the shortest format of the game. He will march the #MenInBlue for one last time in T20Is today.
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 8, 2021
Drop some ❤️ for the skipper, 12th Man Army! 🙌#PlaBold #INDvNAM #T20WorldCup #ThankYouViratKohli pic.twitter.com/JJNA68pORw
Someone who is as talented and dedicated as him deserved that honour, but some things are simply beyond anyone’s control. This doesn’t take away from his immense contribution to the format, though.
Under Virat’s leadership, the side has played 49 T20Is and won 29, while losing 16. Last year itself, India won the T20I series against New Zealand 5-0.
#TeamIndia create history, win the series by 5-0!@imVkohli also becomes the first-ever Indian captain to win a series in New Zealand.#NZvIND #NammaTeamRCB #ViratKohli #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/lnd14wPn0j
— Namma Team RCB Official (@nammateamrcb) February 2, 2020
Apart from this, he is also the only captain from India to win a T20I series in SENA countries. And he has done all this while maintaining an excellent batting record. He scored 1000 runs in 30 innings in the format, which was the quickest for any captain at the time.
So, all in all, his leadership has been more than great, and we are thankful for that. He gave his best every time he stepped on the field, and tried with everything in him, to win.
It was always evident, and will always be.
Last match for @imVkohli as T20 captain, final match for @RaviShastriOfc as chief coach. It’s been a wonderful combo providing terrific achievements which will take some beating. Best of luck to them
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 8, 2021
Virat Kohli will play the last match of his life as the T20 captain of the Indian cricket team.There is a lot of trouble behind this smile. Seeing you on the field as a player is a big deal for us. Thanks to captain Virat Kohli.#Kohli #BCCI #StarSports pic.twitter.com/8gGCGse0VG
— Mr Mehebub (@MrMehebub3) November 8, 2021
Today is Last match for Virat Kohli as Indian Captain in T20is.
— Santosh Metagudda (@imSMetagudda) November 8, 2021
So you guys be enjoying what we have in this short time.@imVkohli ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VrTqEX6d2D
We wish we could have witnessed him lift the trophy to end things but the fact that it could not happen, should not take away from his excellence.
Nor from his grace. As a captain, he accepted defeat with humility and stood up for his teammates on and off the field, even if it meant that people would go after him.
Two heroes of India @imVkohli with his words and @iamsrk with his silence have given a huge pushback to rampaging hate mongering in India. They both stand strong and firm and today appear like the greatest brand ambassadors for an inclusive India.
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) October 31, 2021
just an appreciation tweet for virat kohli❤️ things didn’t go the way you all wanted! but he stood strong and leaded the team as a king! i really respect and adore his sportsmanship!
— Toheed🇵🇰 (@toheedx_) November 7, 2021
MAD RESPECT!! @imVkohli #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/9YxKWM0r4w
Virat has stood like a rock in a situation that is far from ideal, and for that, we admire him so much. That being said, we wish he did not have to go through it and do not mean to glorify his courage without context.
Virat has been an exceptional leader of the side and as he steps down from his duty as the leader of the side, today, let’s congratulate the star that he is. Thank you for the contribution, Virat, it was an honour to call you our captain.