Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, in all probability, will be named India’s new deputy in Tests with stylish batter Shubman Gill set to take charge of the team after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format of the game.
The choice of vice-captain seems to be a straightforward one as Pant is one of India’s best performing Test batters in overseas conditions and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah can’t be considered for the role because of workload management, making his participation in the entire series uncertain.
“If Bumrah isn’t the captain, then there is no point offering him vice-captaincy,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Meanwhile, India’s star batter Virat Kohli has reportedly expressed his desire to retire from the longest format of the game ahead of the team’s much-anticipated five-Test tour of England.
According to PTI, the selection committee did ponder over the idea of handing over leadership to Kohli in England to allow Gill some more time to groom.
As of now, Kohli has not made any official announcement and it is believed that he will be requested to compete in the England tour, scheduled to start on June 20 in Leeds.
“It is true that selectors did think about having Kohli as India skipper for the England series. This would have given Gill some time to grow into a leadership role but at 25-and-a-half years of age, he is yet to hit his peak. Due to Bumrah’s fitness issues, Gill looks like the obvious choice for Ajit Agarkar’s committee,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
The report further stated that KL Rahul isn’t being considered for the leadership role as he is already 33 plus and consistency has been an issue with him. After 11 years of Test cricket, an average of less than 35 from 50 games is far from impressive.
The Indian squad for the England tour will be announced in the third week of May while India A squad will be picked early next week.
Tamil Nadu batter Sai Sudharsan is one certainty among the rookies for the Test tour. The southpaw could be asked to open the innings or come to bat at No.3.
(With PTI Inputs)
