File photo of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah© BCCI/Sportzpics
Team India's horrific 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand in the Test series has raised questions over Rohit Sharma's future as captain of the team in the longest format. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is being touted by many as the make-or-break series for Rohit's Test career. While Jasprit Bumrah is the designated vice-captain in the Indian Test squad, another candidate has emerged as the No. 1 choice for full-time captaincy on the books of former India batsman Mohammad Kaif.
Kaif shares his honest views on the subject of Test captaincy and believes that wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is the only 'worthy' successor to Rohit for the leadership role in the red-ball format.
“Out of the current team, only Rishabh Pant is the candidate to become Test captain. He is worth it, every time he plays he puts the Indian team ahead. Whatever song he comes to play, he is ready to deliver a match-winning to play a trick.” He has scored in all conditions, be it England, Australia or South Africa, he is a complete batsman,” Kaif said on his Instagram Live.
Kaif highlighted the impact Pant created in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai and suggested the wicketkeeper-batsman made the Kiwis nervous as long as he was on the field. Kaif also praised Pant's dramatic improvement in recent years and said he is the only real candidate for the Test captaincy once Rohit steps down.
“When Rishabh Pant plays his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He has already shown that, his fitness has improved drastically. Until he was about to breathe, New Zealand did not breathe easily. That is why I believe of If you are looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor, especially in Test cricket,” he added.
While there is no doubt that Pant has the qualifications required to lead the team, Bumrah appears to be ahead in the race for the Test captaincy, at least from the BCCI selection committee's point of view.
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