I was in shock, says Brian Lara on Virat Kohli's decision to step down from T20I captaincy

Virat Kohli's decision to step down as India's T20I captain post the completion of the T20I World Cup created massive headlines and stalwarts of the game are still reacting to it. The 32-year-old on Thursday ended days of speculation by making the big announcement on his social media handles. The right-hander said that the move will help him reduce his "immense workload" and allow him to focus more on the 50-over and red-ball cricket. 

"I was in shock because I think he's done a tremendous job, played against all the big countries - South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia - beating all of them, and for me he has done a tremendous job," Lata told cricket.com.

"But the kind of intensity that he plays with, I feel that sometimes it might sometimes be good to take a step away, concentrating on another format of the game. I have had these issues as well when I was playing when a couple of times I stepped down as captain as it became very, very stressful," he added. 

Kohli's decision will serve Indian cricket well: Brian Lara

"I am not in his shoes but I'm sure he made his decision, not just for the personal decision but a decision that serves Indian cricket as well."

Virat Kohli's first major assignment in his final series as the T20I captain will be when his side faces arch-rivals Pakistan in their opener of the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai on October 24.