Rohit Sharma is set to miss one Test against Australia
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Rohit Sharma will miss one Test against Australia
- BCCI did not name a vice-captain for the Bangladesh series
- There remains doubt over who will lead the team in Rohit's absence
With Indian captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss either the first or the second Test of the Australia series due to personal reasons, there remains huge uncertainty over who will lead the national team in the 37-year-old's absence after no vice-captain was named for the Bangladesh series.
Rohit replaced Virat Kohli as the captain of the Indian Test team in March 2022 with numerous players being named vice-captain in the period. However, there was no designated deputy in the Bangladesh series which has cast doubt who will lead Team India when Rohit is not present.
All eyes are on the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee with the Indian Test squad for the New Zealand series set to be announced soon. If a vice-captain is named this time around, it will be safe to assume that player will lead the team in Rohit's absence in Australia.
According to a report by EspnCricinfo, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are the frontrunners to be named as the vice captain. It has been reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen to appoint a long-term vice-captain and not one on a temporary basis. Although experienced players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul can lead the team, the selectors are in favour of grooming a younger player to succeed Rohit.
The published information further states that while selectors have to make the final call, the decision will be taken after consultation with the BCCI top brass and the team management.
Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill's Leadership Experience
Burmah was the designated vice-captain of the Test team in each of India's previous two assignments before the Bangladesh series. The 30-year-old was named Rohit's deputy for the tour of South Africa and the home series against England.
Previously, Bumrah captained the team in the 2022 Edgbaston Test against England when Rohit missed out due to COVID-19. He also led the team in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year.
As far as Gill is concerned, he was named as the Indian team's captain for a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. He was also the designated vice-captain for the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Gill captained the India-A team in the 2024 Duleep Trophy.
Read More: Not KL Rahul! 3 Players Likely To Lead India Against Australia In Rohit Sharma's Absence
As far as India's tour of Australia is concerned, the team will play five Tests in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney respectively starting from November 22. Before that, they will play a three-match home series against New Zealand starting October 16.
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