Virat Kohli should step down as captain if India loses second Test vs England, feels Monty Panesar

After the loss in the first Test match against England in Chennai, Virat Kohli’s captaincy has fallen under scrutiny. Several fans have suggested on social media that he should be removed as the captain and Ajinkya Rahane should be handed over the leadership. Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has made a bold statement suggesting that if India loses the second Test, Kohli’s captaincy can be at risk. 

Virat Kohli has had a tough year when it comes to captaincy. His team got whitewashed in the ODI series in New Zealand in early 2020 and then the same feat was repeated by the hosts in the Test series. After the pandemic, he led India again in the ODI series in Australia which they lost. And then there was that shocking defeat in Adelaide.

Panesar has said that if India loses the Test series against England at home it could be the end of his captaincy. The spinner, who was successful in Indian pitches in 2012 and helped England win the series back then, didn’t mince his words when it came to commenting on Kohli’s captaincy. 

It is time when Virat Kohli just probably should focus on his batting: Monty Panesar

“If he loses this Test series, they’ll probably change the captain. This is a big series for Kohli to win and if he’s not able to do that, I think it would be the end of his captaincy. It is time when Virat just probably should focus on his batting. If this Test series is not won by India, then Rahane should take over the captaincy (in Test cricket) from Virat,” Panesar was quoted saying by TOI.

The former England spinner further said that Kohli should give up the captaincy role if the team loses the second Test. If India loses the second Test, it would also mean that they won’t be turning up in the final of the ICC World Test championship later this year. 

“Virat will be under pressure. This is an important series for him. If he loses the second Test, I think he should give up his captaincy. Because India will be down 2-0 in the series and they should change the captain. Virat desperately needs a win or a draw. If he doesn’t, it could be his last match as captain,” Panesar added.