Rohit Sharma To Captain West Indies Series
Rohit Sharma, the veteran opening batter, continues to hold his position as the captain of the Indian Test team, as per the current management’s perspective. His leadership is expected to be retained for the upcoming two-match Test series against the West Indies, which will be played away from home.
Despite Rohit recently celebrating his 36th birthday, concerns have arisen regarding his ability to lead India throughout the entire third World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. However, there is a buffer period for the Indian team in red-ball cricket, as their next assignment after the West Indies series is scheduled for December, when they will embark on a tour of South Africa.
Reports suggest that the selectors will closely monitor Rohit’s batting performances in the Caribbean and reach a decision regarding his leadership before the South Africa tour. An anonymous senior Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source revealed to PTI:
“Rumors suggesting Rohit being removed from captaincy are baseless. However, the question of whether he will continue as captain for the entire two-year World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is significant, considering he will be nearly 38 by the end of the third edition in 2025.”
The source further stated:
“At present, I believe that Shiv Sunder Das and his colleagues will assess Rohit’s batting form after the two Tests before making any decision.”
The Indian Test team finds itself in a vulnerable state following a disappointing defeat at the hands of Australia in the World Test Championship final at The Oval. Injuries, prolonged poor form, and questionable decision-making have all contributed to the team’s current predicament, just before a major transitional period.
In addition to the team’s uncertainties, the management itself is undergoing a reshuffle after a rather turbulent period. The selection panel is in need of yet another overhaul following Chetan Sharma’s brief tenure as chairman, followed by his subsequent resignation.
Regarding the decision on Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, the aforementioned source added:
“After the West Indies tour, we have no Test matches until the end of December when the team travels to South Africa. This provides enough time for the selectors to deliberate and make a decision. By then, the fifth selector (new chairman) will have joined the panel, and a decision can be made.”
The transition of leadership becomes crucial as there is a shortage of viable candidates for the role. Virat Kohli is unlikely to lead the national team again and is close to Rohit’s age. Cheteshwar Pujara currently serves as the Test vice-captain, with KL Rahul failing to make a strong impression during his captaincy opportunities. While Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah possess marginal leadership experience, they are not yet considered frontrunners for the captaincy role.
Overall, Rohit Sharma’s position as captain of the Indian Test team remains secure for now, as the management intends to evaluate his batting performance during the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. However, a decision regarding his captaincy for the entire WTC cycle will be made after the West Indies tour and before the team’s South Africa tour in December.
The Indian team finds itself in a vulnerable state following recent setbacks, and the selection committee is also undergoing changes. The scarcity of suitable leadership candidates makes the decision even more crucial, but for the time being, Rohit Sharma is expected to lead the team in the upcoming Test series.
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