Ever since Virat Kohli has decided to quit Test captaincy, the big question is ‘Who will be India’s new Test skipper’?
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra reckons Rohit Sharma is the most obvious choice as he is now also India’s limited-overs leader but feels there are some serious questions on his fitness.
Rohit Sharma has a great captaincy record and wears a cool head on his shoulders. The talisman has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles and he is now India’s limited-overs captain.
However, Rohit recently had to miss the three-match Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury. In fact, Rohit has been troubled by the same injury since 2020.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has proved his mettle as a Test opener in all the conditions as he had scored 368 runs against England in four Test matches in 2021. Rohit has performed consistently in the red-ball version since he has started opening the innings and he has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
“Rohit Sharma seems to be the most obvious choice because he is the ODI and T20I captain at the moment and the last year was a watershed event for him in Tests. But there are serious questions about his fitness because the hamstring is troubling him since 2020. In theory, it seems alright but will he be able to remain fit?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that KL Rahul could also be given Test captaincy baton. Rahul has made a fine comeback to the red-ball version and he has grabbed his chances as an opener and has performed consistently since the series against England.
“KL Rahul also seems to be an obvious choice. His stature has grown in Test cricket over the last one year. But it is also true that it has happened only after August. He was made to open and has not looked back since. But does he come across as your natural leader?” said Chopra.
KL Rahul had also led in the absence of Virat Kohli in the second Test match against South Africa but India went on to lose that game by seven wickets.
India will now face South Africa in three-match ODI series.
