On Saturday, Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing fraternity by announcing that he will quit Test captaincy. After Virat Kohli quit Test captaincy, all the focus is now on India’s next Test captain. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar had his say on who could take up the mantle.
Virat Kohli gives up his Test captaincy
After the loss to South Africa in the recent Test series, the team was set to undergo a few changes. However, not many expected that Virat Kohli would give up his role. He was actually the best in the business for Team India. Under him, India won 40 of the 68 Tests. This is the highest by any Indian Test skipper. Also, it was Virat who changed the culture of the Test Team. India began winning overseas after Virat Kohli took over. Before his stint, it was an achievement if India won a game in the SENA Nations.
Sunil Gavaskar picks India’s next Test captain
Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said that he would like Rishabh Pant to be India’s next Test skipper. He said, “If you ask me, I am still staying, I would look at Rishabh Pant as the next India captain.
Reasoning out his statement, Gavaskar said, “For one reason only, just like Rohit Sharma was given the captaincy of Mumbai Indians when Ricky Ponting stepped down, look at the change in his batting after that. Suddenly the responsibility of being captain made him convert those beautiful cameos of the 30s, 40s and 50s into hundreds, 150s and 200s. I think that sense of responsibility given to Rishabh Pant will help him score many more of that wonderful hundred he scored at Newlands.”
While Rishabh Pant will surely be on the plans, as per rumours, KL Rahul is going to replace Virat Kohli as India’s Test captain. That said, only an official announcement will stop the debates.
