After the T20 World Cup 2021, Virat Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I skipper but the selectors also sacked him from ODI captaincy citing that they don’t want different individuals leading the white-ball teams. By January 2022, Kohli gave up the Test captaincy as well following the series loss in South Africa.

While Rohit Sharma replaced Virat as all-format captain, India have seen as many as five other players leading the side across formats.

Due to Rohit’s unavailability, the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan have captained the Indian team in the last 15 months.

Meanwhile, former head coach Ravi Shastri has suggested the Indian team management to consider Kohli for the leadership role if Rohit is unavailable, especially for a big game like the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia.

"If it's for a major game like that, I want Rohit to be fit, he is the captain. But god forbid something happens under unforeseen circumstances, definitely I'll look in that direction," Shastri told ESPNCricinfo.

According to Shastri, Virat Kohli is enjoying the job of captaincy in the ongoing IPL season for RCB. Notably, Kohli has embraced RCB’s leadership again with regular skipper Faf du Plessis nursing a rib injury and only featuring in the line-up as an ‘Impact Player’.

"He's in a very good space, enjoying his cricket," Shastri said. "That's the feeling I got as opposed to the last year when we were sitting and discussing does he need a break, does he not need a break. He seemed to have the burden of the whole world on his shoulders.”

"Now it's refreshing. the enthusiasm, passionate energy and enjoyment have come back, which for me was the best thing to see. Runs you might or might not get but when you see someone, and the passion, enjoyment and drive is back again, it's good."

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)