Don't Think Captaincy Will Go Straightaway To Rishabh Pant Or KL Rahul - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that the next Test captain of Team India is unlikely to be either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul. Manjrekar opined that Rohit Sharma will still be the top choice for the selectors.

Pant has captained Delhi Capitals in the IPL but he is still too young to take over Test captaincy for India. As for Rahul, the 29-year-old’s captaincy has been underwhelming, to say the least.

“I don’t think it will go to Pant straightaway, neither KL Rahul. Rohit will get it. They will be captains-in-waiting. Rahul’s form has to remain intact,” Manjrekar mentioned in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.

“Physical fitness will be the challenge” – Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma

Although Rohit is quite apt for taking up the role of the captain, his fitness concerns will be a major issue for the team and selectors. Currently, he may not be physically strong enough to manage workload across all three formats which is an issue if he is made the captain of all three formats.

“That’s the big challenge for Rohit – his fitness. Because when you look at his batting and overall, his leadership skills, he is pretty fit for the job from that standpoint. His physical fitness is going to be a challenge. But because this has come suddenly, we will see it in the next series… Rohit as India’s Test captain,” Manjrekar added.

Kohli stepped down as the captain of the Test team as well which brings an end to his reign. He is the most successful Indian Test captain by far, with 40 wins in 68 matches.

Also, Read – Virat Kohli Informed Rahul Dravid First, Confirmed Resignation To Jay Shah In The Afternoon – Reports