Rohit Sharma will lead India in Test cricket for the first time in Mohali against Sri Lanka© AFP
Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian cricket team in Test cricket for the first time when the teams walk out of the PCA Stadium in Mohali to face Sri Lanka in Friday’s first Test match. Rohit will have big shoes to fill when he takes over from Virat Kohli, who left his captaincy in cricket’s longest format earlier this year after India lost 1-2 to South Africa away from home. Kohli is India’s most successful Test captains in terms of wins and win rates and has left a strong legacy.
Rohit, who has led India in white-ball cricket, will lead in Tests for the first time. Former India pacesetter Ajit Agarkar believes Rohit’s performance in the Test series in England would give him confidence.
“Firstly, it will be a huge honor for him. Yes, he has led India for a few matches in whiteball cricket, not only as a full-time captain, but also before that,” Agarkar told Star Sports.
“The only thing that will do him good is the run he had in England. The batting would have given him a lot of confidence. As a leader you want to be one of the better players in the team so you can demand things from other people.
“In addition, he has the necessary captaincy experience.”
“Test cricket will be a bit different, but at least he starts in India where the conditions are known. It’s a very strong squad that India has, I don’t think it will be a problem for him,” Agarkar added.
Rohit Sharma’s stakes in Test cricket have risen in recent years, since he made his comeback with the team as opener. Before that, Rohit had a mediocre record, having struggled in the middle order in test matches away from home.
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Rohit has done well as an opener on tours of Australia and England and has been India’s leading hitter in home games since 2019.
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