irat Kohli’s stunning announcement on Saturday sent shock-waves across Indian cricket fraternity. In a major development, Kohli relinquished the Test captaincy with immediate effect and thus drawing curtains on his leadership era for the Indian cricket team having already stepped away from the role in white-ball set-up.
While some were surprised, others felt that it was on the cards. Now, the big question on everyone’s mind is: Who after Kohli in Tests?
Rohit Sharma was last December elevated to Test vice-captaincy, replacing Ajinkya Rahane. With the top-job up for grabs, Rohit now seems to be the most likely candidate to succeed Kohli in red-ball cricket too with KL Rahul also presenting a solid option.
However, for Gautam Gambhir, the choice is clear.
“In my book Rohit Sharma should lead India across all formats with Rahul as his deputy,” Gambhir wrote in his column for The Times of India. “One captain across formats will ensure consistency in style and approach of the Indian team especially considering that we have another T20 World Cup later this year.”
Gambhir feels that Kohli has left the Indian Test team in ‘good health’ but cannot say the same for white-ball cricket.
“Between the last Test and ODI series, the news space has been hogged by Virat resigning from Test captaincy. I think it is an individual’s call and that is how it should be treated. I think Virat left the Indian Test team is good health but I can’t say the same about white-ball cricket,” Gambhir wrote.
He continued, “Our bowling resources in Test matches are a neighbour’s envy and owner’s pride. They have showed time and again that they are the engine room for a team’s performance. In limited overs cricket, I’d have liked to see a more settled middle-order, which Virat could not create.”
