India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar expresses Rohit Sharma fitness doubts – Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma is not the best candidate to replace Virat Kohli as Test captain, having thrown his weight behind wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Rohit, who missed the series against South Africa due to injury was named vice-captain of the side and is the favourite to take over. However, Gavaskar has expressed his doubts, considering the opener’s poor fitness record.
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India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar explains why Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be Test captain, says “Need a player who remains fit”
The legendary Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rishabh Pant to succeed Kohli as India’s next Test captain for certain reasons ahead of current vice-captain Rohit Sharma. Gavaskar feels the 34-year-old could be used as a short term fix until a future captain is groomed. Nonetheless, Rohit Sharma will need to improve his fitness and is already putting the hard yards in NCA after he was advised to lose weight.
India New Test Captain: While discussing Virat Kohli’s successor, Sunil Gavaskar said on Sports Tak, “The problem with Rohit is that he has fitness issues. So you need a player who remains fit and is available for all matches. If you remember, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews had the same issue with hamstring. And with that, when you try to run fast or take a quick single, the injury resurfaces. ”
“If that is to happen, you may be forced to name someone else captain. So it’s better to pick a player who instead has external injuries. But with Rohit, this cycle of picking up regular injuries is why I am doubtful about him. This is why I feel that only a player who features in all formats should be made captain,” the former Indian captain added.
India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar explains why Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be Test captain, says “Need a player who remains fit”
India New Test Captain: While Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly have both reiterated that the announcement was solely taken by the former, certain sections believe that the decision was to reduce Kohli’s influence and say in matters. Kohli and Ganguly had had a rocky relationship over the past few months, but Gavaskar still believes that it is unlikley that such as the case.
“No board would want that its captain’s hands should be tied. Sourav Ganguly, the president was a captain himself, so he wouldn’t do anything that would trouble the Indian skipper. Sure, at times there might be a few disagreements but I cannot even imagine something like that happening in Indian cricket,” the former India captain added.
Looking back at Virat Kohli’s legacy, Sunil Gavaskar feels that his biggest contribution in India’s Test cricket is shaping a team that could be called world-beaters and assembling a fast-bowling lineup for the ages.
“Kohli has left a terrific impact as Test captain since taking over. He had a good team. And when you have a good team, the results will be good. Look at Clive Lloyd’s West Indies. They had four fast bowlers and brilliant batsmen. When you have a good team, winning matches become easier. Look at Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and the kind of attacks they had. No one talks about how shrewd they were,” said Gavaskar.
India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar explains why Rohit Sharma shouldn’t be Test captain, says “Need a player who remains fit”
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