Virat Kohli has left a legacy that will live on for a long time as India’s Test captain. He announced his decision to step down from India’s Test captaincy on Friday – the only format left with him – and as we celebrate seven years of Indian cricket’s rise under Kohli, especially the longer format In this, the obvious question that arises is – who is next? When MS Dhoni decided to drop it, Kohli – always marked as the captain’s cool successor – took over and the transition from a seasoned campaigner to the Young Turks seemed natural. However, this time around it may not be as simple or as straightforward. We take a look at the candidates who could potentially usher in a new era for Indian cricket.
Virat Kohli relinquished Test captaincy: End of an era, and it ended when he decided to end it
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, who was recently announced as the white-ball captain for India, will be at the fore. However, the fact that he missed the South Africa Test series and will be unavailable for the ODI series jeopardizes his position a bit. Ultimately the question will be, ‘Can Sharma be seen as a long-term prospect?’. A year older than Kohli and due to injuries, Sharma cannot even distance himself compared to Kohli. Again, there is no doubt about Sharma’s credentials as a captain. 5 IPL titles and an illustrious international captaincy record will play in his hands whenever he gets a chance. He has more or less established himself in the Test team as well, albeit a little late, but he seems to be the best fit for the job as the Indian Test team looks to turn a new page.
Virat Kohli resigned from the post of Test captain, saying – everything should stop at some stage
KL Rahul
KL Rahul, who was struggling to find a place in the playing XI just six months ago, found himself as Kohli’s deputy for the South Africa series and then became captain in 2.Ra Test too. As Rahul’s batsman, he finished as India’s highest run-scorer. The captain of KXIP may not have that kind of experience in leading teams as compared to Sharma, but when things start happening for you, you find yourself in the right place, at the right time. Sharma and Rahul are India’s first-choice openers in the longest format and one thing that works for Rahul is that age is on his side. If the selectors and the team management are looking for long-term prospects for the Test side, Rahul could fit the bill. – Provided he does enough to make it to the XI. Again, KXIP captain Rahul has turned himself into a run machine in the IPL in the last two seasons and has led his team, clearly showing the signs of a leader. He can not only shoulder the responsibility but also grow very well under him.
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Jasprit Bumrah
One of the sureties in the Indian Test team, Bumrah’s place in the playing XI is undeniable. He has been appointed Sharma’s deputy for the SA ODI series and it is a huge reward for his consistent performances for the team in recent times. Like Rahul, age is on his side and he fits into that bracket of long-term prospect. Bowlers, especially fast bowlers, are not usually considered for this position, but Pat Cummins has proved that fast bowlers can also be good leaders. It’s about workload management and from what we’ve seen so far Bumrah is someone who can very well split things up. Someone with a flat head on his shoulders, Bumrah has shown his cricketing prowess time and again – be it on or off the field. It may very well be a left-field pick, but definitely worth a gamble
Rishabh Pant
Pant is probably the most polarizing figure in Indian cricket at present and any discussion about this illustrious player gives rise to a range of emotions. So, at the age of 23, Pant as captain? Well, the Indian has had young captains in the past who made an illustrious career both as a captain and a player named Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Don’t say that Pant is in Pataudi’s mould, far from it. However, there is a possibility that the selectors may keep an eye on him. Apart from Bumrah, Pant is the other certainty in that Indian Test playing XI, and once again age is on his side. Sunil Gavaskar pitched the idea on a TV channel and argues that if Pant is given that extra responsibility, he will change for the better as a batsman. His cute little cameos from the 40s and 50s, on a regular basis, can be transformed into enough knicks. Something similar happened with Sharma when he was handed the captaincy of Mumbai Indians in 2013 after Ricky Ponting stepped in mid-season.
R Ashwin
If you have to choose someone as Kohli’s successor – purely on the basis of cricketing mind – there is no chance that you will be able to see R Ashwin behind. The last spinner to captain India was the great Anil Kumble – again one with a sharp cricketing mind and aggression equal to none. Ashwin has the load – on both accounts. The trouble is his place in the playing XI, especially overseas and of age. He is already 35 years old and has suffered a lot of injuries. But, being a spinner he can insist on playing for 40s or more; And even if the selectors don’t see merit in him as a long-term prospect, he could very well fill in for a while, until either Rahul or Pant are ready to take over.
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