India New Test Captain: Gavaskar doubtful about Rohit leading in Tests: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to name the next Test captain after Virat Kohli stepped down post the South Africa tour. While Rohit Sharma is the captain-designate, Sunil Gavaskar is still not sure whether he will be able to succeed Kohli in Test. Follow IND vs WI Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
With Ajinkya Rahane struggling with form, Rohit Sharma was elevated to vice-captaincy before India’s three-match Test tour of South Africa but missed the series due to a hamstring injury. It was not his first though. In the last few months, Rohit Sharma has suffered a series of injuries. Gavaskar believes that could block his path.
India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar unsure about Rohit Sharma succeeding Virat Kohli as captain in Test
“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 a hamstring. And with that, when you try to run fast or take a quick single, the injury resurfaces,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
However, Rohit Sharma returned to cricket after a two-month break and slammed 60 off 51 balls. He looked in great shape and faced no issues on the field either. But with the age and his fitness issues, Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rishabh Pant as the next Test captain. He feels the southpaw is an automatic pick in all three formats of the game.
India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar unsure about Rohit Sharma succeeding Virat Kohli as captain in Test
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Gavaskar also feels Rohit Sharma could be in charge of the Test team for a short-term basis, but for that also he will have to work on fitness.
Look who are here! 🙌
The trio has joined the squad and sweated it out in the practice session today. 💪#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/Nb9Gmkx98f
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2022
“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,” Gavaskar said.
India New Test Captain: Sunil Gavaskar unsure about Rohit Sharma succeeding Virat Kohli as captain in Test
Sunil Gavaskar looks back at Virat Kohli’s legacy as the Test captain
The cricketer-turned-expert also lavished praise on former skipper Virat Kohli and said he left a tremendous impact. Kohli led India in 68 Tests and won a staggering 40 matches with a win percentage of 59. He is India’s most successful captain in red-ball cricket.
“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 unsure about Rohit Sharma succeeding Virat Kohli as captain in Test
