The disappointment loomed large as Rohit Sharma’s captaincy failed to steer the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. His remarkable record of not losing a single final as a captain came crashing down, as India suffered a humbling 209-run defeat against Australia in the WTC 2023 final.
Appointed as India’s Test captain by the BCCI in early 2022, Rohit Sharma showcased his leadership prowess with a 2-0 home series win against Sri Lanka. However, he missed the away matches against England and Bangladesh due to injuries. Sharma returned to lead the team in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home, where India emerged triumphant with a 2-1 victory over Australia.
Fans had high hopes for Captain Rohit Sharma in the WTC 2023 final, but the team failed to rise to the occasion. Many cricket experts questioned the playing XI selection and the decision to bowl first in the crucial final match.
Also Read: Aaron Finch Disagrees with Rohit Sharma’s Proposal of Three-Match WTC Final, Says “It would be a waste of time”
Even if India had won the WTC, a new Test captain would have been needed considering Rohit Sharma’s age and recent injury issues. At 36 years old, leading the team across all three formats can take its toll on any individual. Therefore, the concept of split captaincy for red-ball and white-ball cricket is gaining traction.
As a new two-year cycle of the World Test Championship approaches, it’s time to consider potential replacements for Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain.
1) Virat Kohli
Former Indian Test captain Virat Kohli stepped down from his leadership role in early 2022. Reports suggest that issues between Kohli and BCCI officials were the primary reason for his resignation. However, Kohli made a comeback as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in a few matches during the 2023 Indian Premier League.
While Virat Kohli may not have led India to the coveted ICC glories, his leadership took the team to new heights in test cricket, establishing them as one of the most successful teams in the format.
However, the question remains whether Kohli would accept the captaincy proposal if offered a second chance by the BCCI. With the recent changes in the BCCI’s management, there is now an opportunity for the new selectors and President to persuade Kohli to take up the captaincy role for Team India, which could potentially make him the best option to lead the side.
2) Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane emerged as the lone warrior against Australia in the recently concluded ICC WTC Final 2023. His remarkable scores of 89 and 46 in the two innings of the test showcased his exceptional talent. After an 18-month hiatus, Rahane made a strong comeback and will undoubtedly continue to be a vital part of Team India in the future.
Ajinkya Rahane has showcased a renewed version of himself on the cricket field this year. The right-handed batsman has displayed remarkable intent and a positive approach in his batting
Rahane’s captaincy skills are noteworthy, as he led India to a historic Test series victory on Australian soil in 2020-21 in the absence of Virat Kohli. Considering the 2023-25 WTC cycle, Ajinkya Rahane, who was India’s top performer in the WTC 2023 final, could be an excellent choice. Also he has a pretty good numbers in the Test cricket both in terms of captaincy and batting.
3) Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has already achieved significant success in international cricket. The talented right-handed batsman has cemented his place in the Indian Test team and impressed fans with his performances both in India and overseas. Although Gill has not captained India before, he led India ‘C’ to the finals of the Deodhar Trophy in 2019-20.
It is worth noting that players like Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravi Ashwin will be around for some time, providing invaluable support and guidance to Gill during his early captaincy days.
Considering Shubman Gill’s rapid progress, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Gill assume the captaincy role for India, bringing his astute leadership qualities and youthful exuberance to the forefront. With a decent amount of experience already under his belt and a promising future ahead, Gill could be a strong contender to lead the Indian team for the next six to eight years.