Rohit Sharma has replaced Virat Kohli as India’s T20I captain, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.

Kohli, who took over T20I captaincy in 2017, had announced his decision to step down in September, citing his “immense workload”. He remains the skipper of the ODI and Test teams.

Sharma’s appointment follows the news that former batting icon Rahul Dravid would replace Ravi Shastri as head coach for all formats following the T20 World Cup, where India failed to qualify for the semi-finals.

The right-handed Sharma, known for his hard hitting, made his debut in 2007 for the national team, initially playing limited-overs cricket before being included in the Test team in 2013.

Sharma also captained the Mumbai Indians to victory in the IPL five times. The Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Kohli, have never won the title.

Kohli was not named in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand in order to give him time to rest. Also left out were pace bowlers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah as well as bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

The tour by New Zealand begins on 17 November with the first of three T20Is followed by two Tests.

© Agence France-Presse