Aakash Chopra asserts that Rishabh Pant, the former India opener, sees Pant as a potential game-changer in Test cricket and envisions him as a successor to Rohit Sharma for the captaincy role in the longest format. Despite Pant’s leadership in T20 Internationals and the IPL, his exclusion from the Test squad against South Africa is attributed to ongoing recovery from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident last year.
In contemplating the distant future, Aakash Chopra suggests that Shubman Gill could be a potential candidate for Test captaincy. However, he acknowledges Rishabh Pant’s outstanding value as a Test cricketer, describing him as “24-carat gold.” Pant’s impressive recovery from injuries, marked by his return to active cricketing duties during the Delhi Capitals’ training session, further emphasizes his resilience and significance in the longer format.
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Pant’s exceptional form in 2022 earned him a place as the sole Indian in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year. His remarkable batting performance included 680 runs in 12 innings, boasting an impressive average of 61.81 and a striking strike rate of 90.90. Pant notched up two centuries, four fifties, and a notable 21 sixes in Tests during the year. His proficiency extended to wicket keeping, contributing six stumpings and securing 23 catches.
Chopra suggests that either Shubman Gill or Rishabh Pant could be contenders for Test captaincy once Rohit Sharma signals the conclusion of his Test cricket journey. Recognizing their game-changing abilities, Chopra emphasizes the importance of appointing a successor when the time comes.