Sunil Gavaskar reveals his choice of captain and vice-captains for India’s T20I team

Virat Kohli has decided to step down as T20I captain after the T20 World Cup 2021.

Gavaskar believes Rohit is an ideal candidate to lead India's T20I side | GettyFormer opener Sunil Gavaskar feels KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant should be groomed as Team India’s vice-captains in the shortest format of the game while he wants Rohit to lead the national side in the next two T20 World Cups.

Gavaskar’s comment came in the wake of regular skipper Virat Kohli’s decision to quit India’s T20 captaincy.

See Also: Virat Kohli might be removed as RCB’s captain mid-way through the ongoing season

"I think Rohit Sharma for the next two World Cups because they are back-to-back, one starting in a month and another exactly a year from now. So clearly, yes, you don't want to change too many captains at this particular stage. Rohit Sharma would definitely be my choice for the captaincy of the Indian team for both these T20 World Cups. And then, I'm looking at KL Rahul as the vice-captain," said Gavaskar on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'.

"I would also keep Rishabh Pant in mind because he has been really impressive in the way he has led a star-studded Delhi Capitals team and the bowling changes that he has been making in the T20 format, using Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada in such a clever manner that actually shows a street-smart captain, and you always want a street-smart captain who can read situations and act immediately. So yes, Rahul and Pant are the two guys I would look at as vice captains," he added.

Earlier this month, Kohli had announced his decision to step down as India’s T20 captain after the T20 World Cup 2021, slated to be held in UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

Kohli had cited workload management as the biggest reason behind his decision to relinquish T20I captaincy.

"I have been fortunate enough to not only represent India but also lead the Indian Cricket Team to my utmost capability. I thank everyone who has supported me in my journey as the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team," he had said in a statement.

"I couldn't have done it without them -- the boys, the support staff, the selection committee, my coaches, and each and every Indian who prayed for us to win. Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the last 8-9 years playing all 3 formats and captaining regularly for last 5-6 years, I feel I need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead the Indian team in Test and ODI Cricket. I have given everything to the Team during my time as T20 Captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 Team as a batsman moving forward," he added.

(With ANI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 29 Sep, 2021

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