Aamer Sohail also talked about India vs Pakistan rivalry.
Former Pakistani skipper Aamer Sohail said that Rohit Sharma is a good choice to become the next captain of the Indian Test team. He believes that his experience as the Mumbai Indians' skipper in the Indian Premier League will help him.
Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I skipper ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. After that, he was sacked as ODI captain and Rohit Sharma was made the new white-ball skipper. If this was not enough, Kohli after India’s Test series defeat against South Africa, quit as India Test captain as well.
After Kohli stepped down as the Indian Test skipper, speculation has been rife over his successor in the leadership role. It is expected that Rohit Sharma, being the vice-captain, will take over the role and many reports have also suggested the same.
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Many fans and pundits have also said that Rohit Sharma is not fit enough to captain the Test side and someone young should be given the responsibility.
As per a few reports, KL Rahul is also in contention and some people have suggested names of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah as well.
It remains to be seen who the selectors will pick as the next Indian Test skipper. They are likely to make the announcement ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, starting 25th February.
Speaking to Sportstar, Aamer Sohail backed Rohit Sharma to become the next Indian Test skipper. He highlighted that the latter’s batting doesn’t get affected by captaincy and his experience as a leader of Mumbai Indians will help him.
He admitted that even though IPL gives a great exposure to young players but criteria for selection in the Indian Test team should be based on First-Class cricket.
"Rohit Sharma is a good choice as a captain. His batting doesn't seem to get affected by captaincy. Of course, his experience as the Mumbai Indians skipper at the IPL (Indian Premier League) would help.
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“IPL helps the new players get prepared and make them comfortable with the camera. But I believe the IPL performances should not be the criterion for selection to the Test team; it should be based only on First-Class cricket," Aamer Sohail said.
Aamer Sohail also talked about the India v Pakistan rivalry. He said that politics shouldn’t be involved in cricket and the arch-rivals should play more games against each other as cricket fans are deprived of the anticipation that match brings.
"The ICC keeps on emphasising that politics should not be involved as far as cricket is concerned and I agree with that. The contest between India and Pakistan always brings that anticipation all around the world. Cricket fans are deprived of that," he said.
Notably, India and Pakistan last played bilateral matches in 2012-13 and now face each other only in the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments. They last locked horns in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and are slated to face each other in the T20 World Cup 2022.
(Sportstar inputs)