Jasprit Bumrah says the team was aware of Virat Kohli’s decision to relinquish Test captaincy

Virat Kohli shocked the world by stepping down as India’s Test captain on Saturday. He made the decision just a day after the team’s Test series loss to South Africa.  In the last few months, Kohli had relinquished his ITL and T20I leaderships before being removed as ODI skipper. He would now continue to play as a batter for the remainder of his career.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Rohit Sharma would be appointed as Virat Kohli’s Test successor. When asked about Kohli’s decision, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah  said that the batting megastar had already made up his mind during a team meeting.

“Obviously, we are close as a team unit, we got to know about his decision in a team meeting that he will step down as the Test captain. We respect his decision, we value his leadership. We congratulated him for what he achieved as a leader of this side,” said Jasprit Bumrah during a virtual press conference ahead of the South Africa ODI series.

At the same time, Bumrah also made it clear that Kohli will always remain a ‘leader’ in the group.

As Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to be named as India’s next red-ball skipper,  he will become the national team’s all-format captain. Tt has also been reported that the board, management, and the selectors are finding it difficult to name his deputy. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, limited-overs vice-captain KL Rahul, and, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant are in contention for the role.

Coming back to the ongoing bilateral series in the ‘Rainbow Nation’, having lost the Test series from a position of strength, the Men In Blue would now be hoping to make amends in the three-match ODI series starting January 19. The first game will be played at the Boland Park in Paarl.