As per reports in Times Of India, KL Rahul is likely to be appointed as the vice-captain for the Test series against South Africa. With Rohit Sharma ruled out from the series, the report further said that Rahul is the front-runner to be Virat Kohli’s deputy. The first of the three Tests begins from December 26.
According to sources, the selectors are not in favour of picking Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara as vice-captain again, due to their poor run of form. Previously the selectors also said that it is the last opportunity for both the senior cricketers to keep their place in the team, provided they get back to scoring runs.
The Odds Are In Favour Of KL Rahul: BCCI Official
“There’s no point in looking back. At the moment, the odds are tilted towards Rahul. Rahane is not a certainty to start in the playing XI (because of his poor form). “Even in the case of Ashwin, the team management has often not played him abroad. In that case, it’s tough to make either of them the vice-captain. The idea is to announce Kohli’s deputy in a day or two,” a source close to the selectors said on Tuesday.
However, both Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin are expected to play key roles in the leadership group. Both are also key for their team in the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
The selectors also thought about Jasprit Bumrah as another potential option. However, they decided against it keeping in mind his workload and the management’s rotation policy. Along with him, Rishabh Pant is also in the radar for a leadership role in the future.
The Indian team will leave for South Africa on December 16 for the first Test which begins from December 26. Thankfully the players will not need to serve hard quarantine as they will be made to stay in a resort instead of hotel rooms.
“It is important that the two teams stay at a place where there are no other guests. Even the India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ teams were kept in a hotel where there were no other guests. A resort gives breathing space to the players and their families. They can indulge in outdoor activities and not be confined to closed premises,” a BCCI source said.
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