Former Pakistani skipper Salman Butt talked about KL Rahul’s appointment as the Indian vice-captain for the Test series against South Africa, saying that the right-hander has the potential to captain the side in future.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (18th December) named opening batter KL Rahul as the vice-captain for the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the series due to injury.
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Talking about KL Rahul’s appointment as the Test vice-captain for the South Africa series, former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt said that he was a decent captain. He stressed how the right-hander despite not having a strong team in IPL emerged as a lone fighter for Punjab Kings.
He added that by making KL Rahul the vice-captain, BCCI is seeing him as a future leader.
"KL Rahul has captained Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. He is a very decent captain. He's a good thinker of the game. He has not had a strong team but he has emerged as a lone fighter.
“He's kept wickets and opened the innings, which shows he can handle responsibilities. You only make a player the vice-captain when you see him as a future leader," Salman Butt said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
While talking about the Test series between South Africa and India, Salman Butt backed the Virat Kohli-led side to win. He said that even though the Proteas are aggressive and have a good bowling attack, the visitors have the capability to win.
He pointed that Team India will feel the absence of the experienced batter Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.
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"India can win in South Africa. But it won't be easy. South Africa are aggressive and they have a good fast bowling attack. But India have the capabilities to seal the series. However, the absence of Rohit Sharma will be felt," he said.
The Indian squad for the Test series has reached South Africa and have started to begin their preparations. The series will hold extreme importance for the Virat Kohli-led side as South Africa is the only country where the Indian Cricket Team has never won a test series.
The Test series between the teams will kick start with the Boxing Day Test from December 26 at SuperSport Park, Centurion followed by the second Test at Johannesburg from January 3 to 7. The final Test will take place in Cape Town from January 11 to 15.
