Indian Cricket Team: Three players who can replace Rohit Sharma as Test captain

The Indian captain had yet another disappointing outing with the bat in both innings. Apart from his batting, Rohit’s captaincy methods were also criticized after the final. Experts were at odds with the decision to drop Ravichandran Ashwin, whereas some also questioned the inclusion of KS Bharat over Ishan Kishan.

It is to be seen whether the 36-year-old continues his captaincy in Tests. The India skipper is yet to take a decision on his captaincy future, but we may see certain ramifications in his role in the coming months.

Even had India won the WTC Final, India would have needed a new captain. Rohit, being 36, is approaching the final few laps of his career and the Test format does require new personnel at the helm to lead and impose ideas.

And if the Indian skipper relinquishes captaincy, here are three candidates who may take over the leadership role for India-

Three Players who can replace Rohit Sharma as India’s Test Captain

Here are three Indian players who can replace Rohit Sharma in the Test format for India-

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has been an inspiring piece of story for India. The batter has risen from the ruins and has looked in a different avatar in recent months. He had a sublime domestic format and then continued that with an excellent IPL 2023 season.

His IPL performances earned him a spot in the Indian team after a long gap of 21 months, and Rahane grabbed it with both hands. Amid India’s dismal outing, Rahane was the standout performer for them. His positive and aggressive approach was a big factor and India may want Rahane to lead them for the upcoming 2023-25 WTC cycle.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been a stalwart of the game. The off-spinner was dropped from the starting eleven in the Final, which has already been heavily criticised. Ashwin was India’s highest wicket-taker in the WTC 2021-23 cycle and is a great reader of the game.

Ashwin can be one of India’s choices to lead in the Test format. His vast experience and mental toughness along with elite skill make him an ideal person to lead India for the next couple of years in the longest format of the game.

Virat Kohli

India can go back to Virat Kohli for captaincy in the upcoming WTC cycle. Kohli stepped down as captain in 2022 but he has the innate aggression and fighting attitude team India needs at the moment.

Kohli led the Indian team to WTC Final in 2021 and ended up losing the match against New Zealand at that time. He holds the best winning record as an Indian captain in Test format and has tasted success in overseas assignments as well.

With Test format in concern, Kohli is a viable and apt option for the Indian side. The batter captained Royal Challengers Bangalore in some matches this season and if the selectors can convince him, Kohli may well be the best bet for the Indian team going forward.