New Delhi:
In a significant development following India’s disappointing performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma has expressed his intention to remain the captain of the Indian cricket team for the next few months. This decision was communicated during a review meeting held in Mumbai, attended by key figures including head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and Rohit Sharma himself.
Rohit Sharma, who has been facing criticism for his recent form and the team’s performance, has assured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he will continue to lead the team until a suitable successor is identified. This period is expected to extend until the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in the UAE and Pakistan.
Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a top contender to succeed Rohit Sharma as the Test captain. However, concerns over Bumrah’s fitness and workload have been raised by BCCI officials. Bumrah’s history of recurring injuries, including a recent back injury that forced him to leave the field during the Australian tour, has cast doubts on his ability to lead the team in a long series.
Despite these concerns, Bumrah has shown his leadership capabilities, having led India to a victory against Australia in Perth. The BCCI is cautious about his appointment due to the demanding nature of a five-match Test series and is considering other options for vice-captaincy, including Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Rohit Sharma’s tenure as captain has seen both highs and lows. While he led India to several victories, including a 10-match winning streak in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and an ICC T20 World Cup title in 2024, the team has also suffered significant losses, such as the recent 1-3 defeat against Australia and a home series whitewash by New Zealand.
The BCCI is keen to avoid having different captains for Tests and ODIs, but the decision on Bumrah’s appointment as a full-time captain remains pending due to his fitness issues. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, will continue to lead the team in both formats until the Champions Trophy, after which he is likely to step down from international cricket.
