Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes things are changing in Indian cricket after KL Rahul has been appointed as the vice-captain for the South African Test series.
Rahul has been named as Kohli’s deputy in the Test matches after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the South Africa series due to a left hamstring injury.
Earlier Rohit Sharma was appointed as the limited-overs captain and he was given the vice-captaincy role in the Test format after Ajinkya Rahane was removed due to poor form.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul has had the experience of leading Punjab Kings in the last two seasons in the Indian Premier League. The flamboyant batter is looked at as a future leader in Indian cricket and thus the selectors are giving him the leadership opportunities.
Furthermore, Rahul is expected to be named as the white-ball vice-captain after Rohit Sharma has been given the captaincy baton. Rahul has a calm mind on his shoulder and he would aim to give his inputs to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in red-ball and white-ball versions respectively.
“KL Rahul has been appointed as India’s Test vice-captain (for the South Africa series) as Rohit Sharma is injured. Rahul Dravid is the coach, Rohit is the captain of white-ball formats,” said Aakash Chopra in a video shared on Koo.
Chopra reckons India’s former Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will find it difficult to find a place in the playing XI in the South Africa Test series.
“I think Rahul may be appointed vice-captain in ODIs also. Ajinkya Rahane might find it difficult to find a place in the XI. He was captain just a couple of Test matches ago but right now he’s not even the vice-captain. Things are changing in Indian cricket.”
Meanwhile, KL Rahul had scored 315 runs in four Test matches against England and had done a fine job while opening the innings with Rohit Sharma. The first Test match between South Africa and India will be played at Centurion from December 26.
