Never thought would captain India in all three formats: Kohli

But he has also done so many unexpected things on and off the field. And a touch of amateur spirit in his gesture of asking Sourav Ganguly to lead the side in the latter stages of his farewell Test match, the final match of the series against Australia in Nagpur in November 2008.

Dhoni, who sprang a surprise on the cricket-crazy nation by quitting as the limited overs skipper, was seen playing football with his teammates at the same venue last evening.

Kohli took over the Test captaincy from Dhoni in December 2014, and the latter never felt sharing responsibilities would be effective.

As Rohit continues his recovery from injury, Shikhar Dhawan, who has lost his place in the Test side as well as the T20s, KL Rahul, who made such an impression against the West Indies in the U.S., and Ajinkya Rahane will want to lock up a place for the Champions Trophy. This sudden announcement left the cricket world bewildered.

Not only does India’s ODI contingent have a new captain but, on Wednesday, it also saw the addition of a new strength and conditioning expert.

I am ready to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. Just imagine, the skipper of the team just a few days earlier, but a stand-by after that. So for them I think it is more exciting to be coming out with a game which is interactive, which is fast to be precise. “I think this team will be the most successful Indian team under Virat”, said Dhoni ahead of the first ODI against England in Pune before adding that he will always be there to assist Kohli. Naturally, the pressure on Dhoni increased.

Former India cricketer and Yuvraj Singh’s father Yograj Singh once again slammed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he accused the former captain for his son’s absence from the Indian squad.

India begin a new year of cricket on Sunday, with the limited-overs side set to take on England in a three-match ODI and T20I series, which starts at the Gahunje Stadium in Pune.

“For me the last series was the one against South Africa, That was the reason why I went to Zimbabwe”.

When Kohli became Test skipper it was a result of Dhoni’s retirement, but now the two will share a field for the first time with the younger man calling the shots. What is it like for you when you see a game like this? So, even while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Similarly, Virat is well-placed to take over the limited-overs captaincy. He is still supremely fit and so it won’t be a surprise if he overcomes the after-effects of this long gap.