Indian Cricket Board selector quashes the rumors of Rohit Sharma to be removed from T20I captaincy

Recently, there were rumors floating that India skipper Rohit Sharma might be relieved from T20I captaincy to manage his workload. It was believed that Hardik Pandya might be the front-runner for the role given his successful stint with Gujarat in the Indian T20 League 2022. However, one of the selection committee members has quashed the reports by saying that there is no question of replacing Sharma as skipper.

On the other hand, the selector maintained that it is important to manage the 35-year-old's workload. The former said that Pandya is in the plans for short overseas tours but definitely not for Tests. The all-rounder played the last of 11 Tests in 2018 and hasn't been the first choice player in the playing XI since. The back injury during the Asia Cup 2018 has pretty much ended his chances in Tests as of now.

“There is no question of replacing Rohit Sharma anytime soon. But at the same time, it is important to manage his workload. Yes, Hardik is in our plans as there will be many short tours in the future and he is not in Test plans at the moment,” a selection committee member told InsideSport.

Recently, former India opening batter Virender Sehwag has said that Rohit can be relieved from the leadership role in the shortest format if the Indian team management has someone else in mind.

“If the Indian team management has someone else in mind as captain in the T20 format, then I think, Rohit could be relieved and the following can be taken into consideration going forward,” Sehwag was quoted as saying India.com in an interview.

Currently, the Mumbai player is in isolation as he was tested positive for COVID 19 on June 25. With only two days left in the start of the fifth Test against England, it is quite likely that he might miss the must-win game. Mayank Agarwal has been called as cover and might play. Also, it will be interesting to see who will lead the Indian team.