Rohit Sharma’s undefeated record as a captain in the grand stage finals ended as India suffered a disappointing 209-run defeat against Australia in the WTC 2023 Final. Appointed as India’s Test captain in early 2022, Sharma led the team to a series victory against Sri Lanka but missed the away matches against England and Bangladesh. Upon his return, he guided India to a 2-1 triumph over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Let us know about your potential replacements for Rohit Sharma in the Comment section below.
However, Sharma’s leadership in the WTC Final fell short of expectations, raising concerns among fans and cricket experts. The selection of the playing XI and the decision to bowl first in the final were questioned, and as a result, calls for a new captain have emerged.
Moreover, considering Sharma’s age of 36 and his recent injury concerns that caused him to miss crucial Test matches, the need for a new Test captain for India was already looming. Many believe that the burden of leading the team across all three formats could be overwhelming, advocating for split captaincy between red-ball and white-ball cricket.
With the upcoming two-year cycle of the World Test Championship on the horizon, several players have emerged as potential replacements for Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain. Here are three viable options:
- Virat Kohli: Despite stepping down as Test captain in 2022 due to reported issues with BCCI officials, Kohli’s return as Royal Challengers Bangalore’s captain in the IPL has sparked speculation. If the new management convinces Kohli, he could be a strong contender to lead Team India again.
- Ajinkya Rahane: Rahane has recently displayed a new and assertive version of his batting prowess. Notably, he led India to a historic Test series win in Australia during Kohli’s absence. His experience and leadership skills make him a viable short-term captaincy option for the 2023-25 WTC cycle, especially after his impressive performance in the WTC 2023 Final.
- Shubman Gill: At just 23 years of age, Gill has already made significant strides in international cricket. He has secured his place in the Indian Test team with great batting displays at home and abroad. While he hasn’t captained India before, his leadership of India ‘C’ in the Deodhar Trophy final in 2019-20, where he had experienced players under his command, highlights his potential as a future captain.
The debate surrounding the Test captaincy intensifies as India gears up for the new World Test Championship cycle. Whether it involves reinstating Kohli, entrusting Rahane with the role, or grooming Gill for future leadership, the decision will significantly impact India’s Test team in the coming years.
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