Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra is not sure if Rohit Sharma can continue as India’s Test captain till the end of the new World Test Championship cycle 2023-2025. Rohit missed the tour to Bangladesh in 2022 due to a finger injury and he took a few more breaks, which Chopra feels he wouldn’t be allowed in the next cycle.
Chopra feels there are no question marks regarding Rohit Sharma’s captaincy but reckons age is also not the Indian opener’s friend as he will be 38 if India qualifies for the next WTC Final.
In fact, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara haven’t been consistent enough and one feels they might have to make way for the younger generation.
“Rohit Sharma is a good captain. That is out of the question, understands the pulse of the game, doesn’t make common mistakes. He’s very decent,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“The question is not about Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. It’s about playing XI (for the WTC final). The next question is on the type of pitches they play at home. See, all these decisions are taken by the team management. I am sure Rohit Sharma would’ve been part of the think-tank when Virat Kohli was the captain. Now Kohli will also be part of that group too. However, the responsibility lies with the one who goes for the toss. The focus now is on Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid like it was before on Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. This is the sad reality,” Chopra said.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India has won four matches and lost three. However, India lost the all-important World Test Championship final against Australia by 209 runs at the Oval after Rohit decided to bowl first but the move backfired as the Aussies scored 469 runs in the first essay.
The renowned commentator feels there will be pressure as India has failed to cross the line in the last two WTC Finals of 2021 and 2023.
“When we look two years into the future, in 2025, Rohit Sharma could still be playing Test cricket if he really wants to play Test cricket. Committing for six series is a long time. He has missed cricket in the past but today where Indian cricket stands, I don’t think he will be allowed as many breaks,” Chopra said.
“Rohit is a good captain, a good Test batter but will the future be the same, I’m not 100 percent certain. Two cycles, two finals, you haven’t won once. Age is also not on his side. This is the sad reality,” he added.
India will next take on West Indies in two Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is.
