(PTI Photo)
The impending question of who will succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s T20I captain has sparked discussions across the Indian cricketing community following their T20 World Cup victory over South Africa. Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is immediately after the final, a move anticipated as selectors had recalled both him and Virat Kohli solely for the tournament.
Last year, Hardik Pandya and later Suryakumar Yadav captained the team, with Jasprit Bumrah also seen as a strong candidate. Recently, Shubman Gill’s appointment as captain for the Zimbabwe series has further fueled speculation.
Despite Shubman Gill being appointed captain for the Zimbabwe series, former India wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim feels it’s premature to entrust him with the permanent role of leading the T20I team.
Speaking to SportsNow, Karim acknowledged Gill’s leadership potential but suggested it might be too early for him. Instead, Karim endorsed Hardik Pandya as a suitable candidate to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s T20I captain.
“Potential yes but at this stage I think it’s very early for the selectors to actually decide who can be the captain in the years to come. There are a number of aspirants, Hardik Pandya right now is the vice-captain and I think with Rohit’s departure, it is more obvious that Pandya will take up the reins.”
“But yes, I think the Indian selectors have always looked at Shubman Gill as an all-format player and they feel he does have the required leadership skills to take the team forward, that is why this Zimbabwe series will be quite exciting for Gill not as a batter but also as a captain,” he further added.
The upcoming five-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe kicks off on July 6. Shubman Gill, who missed out on the T20 World Cup squad, will aim to assert himself by leading the team from the forefront during this series.
