Former India opener Virender Sehwag has opined that all-format skipper Rohit Sharma could be relieved from captaincy duties in T20Is so that the 35-year-old can manage his workload in a better way.
After Virat Kohli stepped down as T20I skipper last year, BCCI handed over the complete white-ball captaincy to Rohit. Earlier this year, Kohli also resigned as Test captain with Rohit taking over the reins in the longest format as well.
However, Rohit hasn’t been able to play all of India’s matches since taking charge as captain due to injuries and workload management.
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“If the Indian team management has someone else in mind as captain in the T20 format, then I think, Rohit (Sharma) could be relieved and the following can be taken into consideration going forward,” Sehwag told PTI in an interview.
“One, that would allow Rohit to manage his workload and mental fatigue, given his age.
“Two, once someone new is appointed as captain in T20s, it would also allow Rohit to take breaks and rejuvenate himself to lead India in both Tests and ODIs,” he said in an interaction arranged by Sony Sports, the official broadcaster of the India-England series.
For Sehwag, however, Rohit is an ideal choice if the selectors continue with the policy of having one captain to lead India across formats.
“If the Indian think-tank still wants to pursue with the same policy, which is, to let one man leading India in all the three formats, then I still believe, Rohit Sharma is the best man for it.”
With the T20 World Cup 2022 barely a few months away, Sehwag also named his top three for Team. He didn’t pick Virat Kohli and instead went with the trio of Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul.
“India has options aplenty when it comes to hard hitters in T20s. However, I would personally vouch for Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and KL Rahul as the top three batters for the World Cup in Australia,” Sehwag said.
“The right-hand and left-hand combination of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, or for that matter, Ishan and KL Rahul could be quite interesting for the World T20,” he added.
Sehwag also advocated for fast-bowling sensation Umran Malik’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“If there is one pacer who has thoroughly impressed me, of late, it is none other than Umran Malik. He should definitely be part of India’s plans as one of the key bowlers alongside the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami,” Sehwag stated.
“This IPL has given us many promising young bowlers, but Umran’s skills and talent will definitely earn him a place in the Indian across all three formats in the long run,” he further remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
