New Delhi: Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to be sacked as India’s Test captain as the selectors have decided to appoint a new young leader in the longest format ahead of the upcoming England tour. Rohit’s future as Test captain was in doubt following the team’s back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and Australia in their last two Test series.
India suffered a 0-3 humiliating whitewash against New Zealand at home before losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 against Australia. Rohit led India in three of the five matches in Australia, with the visitors managing one draw and two losses. His form with the bat was also woeful as Rohit scored only 36 runs in six innings, the lowest by a touring captain in a Test series in Australia.
As per a report in the Indian Express, the selectors have decided to remove Rohit and go with a new leader in Tests for the upcoming five-match series against England that gets underway next month. Rohit’s poor performance in Tests is the reason behind his axing and it remains to be seen if he is included in India’s squad for the England series as an opening batter.
The selectors have been contemplating who should be India’s next captain in Tests, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s names doing the rounds as they are currently the only two certain starters in the squad, with Yashasvi Jaiswal considered too young for the leadership role. As per the report, the selectors don’t feel Rohit fits as a captain, and a young leader needs to be groomed for the next WTC cycle.
“The selectors’ thought process is clear. They want a new leader for the England tour and Rohit doesn’t fit in as a captain, especially considering his red-ball form. They want to groom a young leader for the next Test cycle, and the selection committee has informed the BCCI that Rohit won’t lead the team,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
Rohit skipped the first Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 last year due to the birth of his son. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led India to their only victory in the series. Rohit returned for the second Test and led India in the next three matches. He endured a woeful series with the bat before dropping himself from the XI for the fifth and final Test in Sydney.
Who will replace Rohit Sharma as Test captain?
Shubman Gill would arguably be the favourite to replace Rohit as India’s next captain in Tests. However, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has led India in England and Australia, is also a strong contender for the leadership role. Gill is already India’s vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is and might be asked to lead in Tests in England. While he is India’s designated no.3, Gill’s consistency has been questionable in the longest format.
Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to be sacked as India’s Test captain following the team’s back-to-back defeats in their last two Test series. The selectors want India to have a new captain in Tests looking at the future. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
