Former India player Aakash Chopra has suggested the three best options who could replace Virat Kohli as the Test captain. However, Kohli has decided to step down as Team India’s Test captain after the 2-1 series defeat in South Africa.
While Rohit Sharma’s fitness is under the scanner, Aakash Chopra stated that he is probably the favoured option now. He said that in a video shared on his YouTube channel:
“Rohit Sharma seems to be the most obvious choice because he is the ODI and T20I captain at the moment and the last one year was a watershed event for him in Tests. But there are serious questions about his fitness because the hamstring is troubling him since 2020. In theory, it seems alright but will he be able to remain fit?”
He elaborated:
“KL Rahul also seems to be an obvious choice. His stature has grown in Test cricket over the last one year. But it is also true that it has happened only after August. He was made to open and has not looked back since. But does he come across as your natural leader?”
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that he has not been able to make up his mind on KL Rahul considering his captaincy stint with the Punjab Kings and the odd match for Team India recently as well.
Aakash Chopra again explained:
“Can we make Rishabh Pant the captain? Sunny bhai has also asked him to be made the Test captain. Not a bad choice but Rishabh Pant goes too much up and down. He is young and his place is certain in the Test side but is he your leader? His captaincy credentials have not been tested yet.”
“My vote is for Rohit Sharma as of now, short-term” – Aakash Chopra
He also shared his order of preference among the three best players for the captaincy role. The veteran said that there is no chance for Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah as Rahane and Pujara might be dropped from the Indian Test side now.
And, Ashwin might not be added to the playing XI in overseas conditions, whereas Bumrah could be given a break for the Tests at home as well.
“My vote is for Rohit Sharma as of now, short-term. Second is KL Rahul – you can go with him. Rishabh Pant is the third, it is a slightly left-field or out-of-the-box selection, you can also look towards him,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
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