5 Players who can replace Rohit Sharma as Test captain

The Indian cricket community is speculating about who might succeed Rohit Sharma as captain of India's Test team after he retired from Test cricket. Following Virat Kohli's departure, Rohit brought stability and composure to the leadership position. He was instrumental in helping India navigate difficult domestic and international series.

But with age and workload catching up, it's only fair to start thinking about the future leader in the red-ball format. Rohit also struggled with form, scoring 90-odd runs in 3 Tests against Australia and just 31 runs in 6 innings against them. He sat out the final Test in Sydney as well, which marked the beginning of the end.

Let's examine five deserving contenders to be India’s next Test captain in place of Rohit Sharma.

1. Virat Kohli

While it may seem like a step backward instead of looking to the future, handing the Test captaincy back to Virat Kohli could be a very good move. Under Kohli, India led 2-1 after four Tests during their tour of the UK. After stepping down from the captaincy in 2022, Kohli remained part of the leadership group.

He captained India in the Sydney Test after Jasprit Bumrah broke down and has reportedly shown interest in becoming Test captain again. During a transitional period, India may benefit from a short-term, experienced leader. Given his form and fitness, Kohli remains one of the team's most important players. A return to captaincy isn't completely out of the question if stability and seasoned leadership are priorities.

2. KL Rahul

KL Rahul is another player who has captained India in Tests, even leading them to a 2-0 series whitewash in Bangladesh in 2022. He has been India’s most versatile cricketer in recent years — opening the innings, batting in the middle order, and even taking on wicket-keeping duties.

Rahul is strategically sound and has a balanced temperament, both of which are crucial for the longer format. His calm demeanor and experience make him an obvious candidate to lead India in the post-Rohit era, despite the injuries that have disrupted his consistency in the Test setup.

3. Jasprit Bumrah

The most logical contender for India’s Test captaincy is pacer Jasprit Bumrah. He became India’s first fast-bowling Test captain in 35 years when he led the side in a one-off Test against England in 2022. Despite being relatively new to leadership, Bumrah is a unique option due to his work ethic, cricketing intelligence, and the respect he commands in the dressing room.

However, his fragile body and inability to maintain high intensity across all five Tests, especially in demanding conditions like England, work against his case. Bumrah played all five Tests in Australia but eventually broke down in Sydney and was sidelined for four months. He may be better suited to a vice-captain role, offering support and insights.

 4. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant was once considered the heir apparent to the Test captaincy and had been groomed for a leadership role. However, the 18 months he lost due to his car accident have hampered his chances. Pant is also currently struggling with his batting form. While he did perform well in the Australian Tests, his risky batting style can lead to inconsistency. Having captained India in limited-overs formats, Pant has already displayed leadership qualities.

He has changed the course of games with both bat and gloves in Test matches. His charisma, confidence, and never-say-die attitude resonate with younger players. If properly developed, Pant could become a dynamic and inspirational leader in Indian Test cricket.

5. Shubman Gill

The most likely choice to lead India in Tests after Rohit Sharma might be Shubman Gill. The 25-year-old may be an unconventional pick, but his leadership in the Zimbabwe T20I series and the ongoing IPL has impressed BCCI selectors. His age also offers the prospect of a long-term captaincy tenure.

Gill is a candidate worth investing in due to his composed demeanor, reliability, and ability to lead by example. Grooming Gill into the role of Test captain could be a progressive step if selectors are looking for someone to guide the team over the next decade.

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