Senior India fast bowler Mohammed Shami said he is not averse to the role of captaincy in Test cricket but stressed that it’s not in his mind now as he gets a period of rest after a busy season. After Virat Kohli stepped down as captain in the longest format of the game, the selectors and the BCCI top brass are working towards appointing a new Test captain for Team India.
KL Rahul led the team in the absence of Virat Kohli in a Test match in Johannesburg but it’s unlikely that the star batter will get the top job on a permanent basis. In fact, Rohit Sharma, who was appointed the vice-captain of the Test team after Ajinkya Rahane was sacked in December, is the front runner for the role even as he missed the South Africa tour due to an injury.
India have not had a lot of bowlers as captains of the senior national side in the past. However, both Jasprit Bumrah and Shami have said they are open to additional responsibility. Both the pacers are integral members of the team, having been crucial to the Test team’s success in the recent past.
“I am not thinking too much about captaincy at the moment. I am ready for whatever responsibility is given to me. To be honest, who doesn’t want to captain the India team but it is not the only thing and I am looking to contribute in whichever manner possible for the team,” Shami told India.com.
Shami has been playing all three formats of the game but the senior bowler was rested from the ODI series in South Africa. The BCCI announced the squads for India’s ODI and T20I series against the West Indies in February on Wednesday and both Shami and Bumrah were rested from the limited-overs assignments.
Shami, however, maintained that he is available for selection across all formats for India.
“I am available for selection in all formats and if it happens, I am more than looking forward to it,” Shami added.
