​Veteran Pakistan batter Salman Butt has picked young wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, as the front-runner to succeed Virat Kohli as Team India’s captain. Pant recently led Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals in place of Shreyas Iyer, who was ruled out of the competition with a dislocated shoulder.

Pant did exceedingly well as the skipper leading Delhi from the front. When the tournament was halted on May 4, Delhi Capitals were positioned in the top half of the points table. They played some aggressive cricket overall which grabbed praise from all quarters.

In the wake of it, Salman Butt the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have plans surrounding Pant after giving him the responsibility in the IPL.   

“I am not aware of his domestic cricket (records) in-depth but from what I have seen in the IPL, if they handed Rishabh Pant the captaincy (of Delhi Capitals), then the cricket board (BCCI) may have some plans for the future. Kohli is still young as he is not going anywhere for the next 8-9 years,” Butt was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Rohit Sharma is also an outstanding captain – Salman Butt

Adding further, Salman Butt also showered praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, who has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. The Nagpur-born cricketer has also done well as the vice-captain of the Indian team. In his limited opportunity as the skipper of the national side, Rohit has also impressed with his leadership qualities. Under Rohit, India have won an Asia Cup title and Nidahas Trophy.

“Along with him (Pant), Rohit Sharma is an outstanding captain. I really like him as a captain. Strategically and tactically, he’s a very good captain,” he stated.

In conclusion, Salman Butt had words of praises for Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane as well. In the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, Rahane captained the team after Virat Kohli left due to paternal duties.