Rohit Sharma's place in India Test team is in danger
Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has asked a tough question to head coach Gautam Gambhir and team India management, how will they replace Rohit Sharma as the Test captain on the upcoming five-Test tour of England.
Sidhu believes Sharma will retain his leadership role for India's next five-match away Test series against England, despite recent criticism of his red-ball performance.
Rohit's place in the Test team was called into question following a spate of poor performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pressure increased when he withdrew from the final Test in Sydney, citing poor form.
However, Sidhu has denied the idea of replacing him, stating that there is currently no credible alternative.
"Tell me, who will you make the captain at the last moment, and who has given such a performance? Rohit Sharma was selfless and did not play a match, but did the other guy come in and score 150 there? You should have a replacement first. Experience is learned in the school of adversity. How will you replace Rohit Sharma? Look at his record in England. See how many hundreds he has there. Maturity lies in this: preserve the old and know the new,” Sidhu told Sports Tak.
Under Rohit Sharma, India played the final of the 2023 World Test Championship. India was primed to play the 2025 WTC final as well, but series losses to New Zealand at home and to Australia in their backyard eliminated them from the race.
Sidhu said that Rohit Sharma should surely continue as captain, especially after winning India two ICC titles.
"Rohit Sharma will be the captain and he only should be the captain. Should Rohit Sharma climb the bamboo? What more should he do? Will you test someone like this who has won you two ICC trophies?" Sidhu remarked.
He also emphasized the need to keep seasoned players like Rohit, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul until the 2027 ODI World Cup, combining their expertise with the youthful enthusiasm of players like Nitish Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav.
"Till the 2027 World Cup, you will have to make a mix of the experience of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and the exuberance of someone like Nitish Reddy, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav. Until you do not make this mix, you cannot select a good team," Sidhu remarked.
The five-Test tour of England will mark the start of India’s WTC 2025-27 cycle.