New Delhi: So what’s next for Indian cricket after Virat Kohli? Will we see the beginning of the Rohit Sharma era? Will he be the three-format skipper with absolute powers? Do we have a new set of alternates in Team India?
These are the main questions that beckons every Indian cricket fan, the answers to which will be uncovered only in the coming months, Covid permitting. However, BCCI has a few things in mind for the situation they were planning and according to sources, the Indian team is not likely to have one individual for all three formats.
According to BCCI sources, KL Rahul is set to be retained as India’s Test skipper while Rohit Sharma continues to be India’s white-ball skipper. The reasons behind this thought are for a variety of reasons. The BCCI, it is understood, doesn’t want a repeat of the Virat incident where all powers are vested in one individual, even if it is Rohit at this point of time.
Secondly, given the fitness issues, workload, the constant bubble and traveling, BCCI is very keen to split the burden on two different individuals to allow Rohit the breather to choose his series and take a break when required, especially with two white-ball World Cups lined up back-to-back in two years.
Given that India is slated to play fewer Tests this year, the BCCI is keen to groom Rahul as the next Test skipper while allowing the possibility that he can serve Indian cricket for a longer time with age on his side. Since Rohit’s injury in the just-concluded Test series gave that opportunity to Rahul, the selectors and BCCI both are keen to stick with Rahul for red ball.
Coach Rahul Dravid hasn’t had his say on the matter yet, and more formal discussions with the selectors and coaching staff will follow but as matters stand, India is set to have two different skippers --- a formula that has worked well for India in the past.