Mohammed Azharuddin Picks Rohit Sharma As The New India Test Captain

One of the most successful Indian captains of all-time Mohammed Azharuddin cast his vote in favour of Rohit Sharma as the next India Test captain, after Virat Kohli shockingly stepped down from the role, following the team’s 1-2 defeat in the South Africa Test series away from home.

Kohli was expected to continue as the Test captain despite quitting the T20 captaincy after the T20 World Cup 2021 and then being removed as the ODI captain by the BCCI selection panel citing the problem of two different white-ball captains after Rohit Sharma was handed the reins of both the T20I and ODI teams.

While the Indian team prepares for the three-match ODI series against South Africa which begins on Wednesday, the BCCI will be going through their options for the next India Test captain.

I Feel Rohit Sharma Is A Good Player And Can Be A Very Good Captain: Mohammed Azharuddin

Mohammed Azharuddin, while discussing the next India Test captain on India News, pointed out that while aiming for someone who can lead the team for the next 6-7 years is a good thought, one needs to keep in mind the upcoming challenges as well.

Mohammad Azharuddin was asked who he sees as the next skipper who can take the Indian team forward for the next 5-6 years. He responded:

“I feel seeing 5-6 years ahead is a long time. You should definitely look forward but need to see immediate as well. Just to look forward, you cannot give to an inexperienced player, which might cause a problem.”

Azharuddin picked Rohit Sharma as the next India Test captain while acknowledging the Mumbai batter’s fitness issues and constant hamstring injuries.

He said, “I feel Rohit Sharma is a good player and can be a very good captain. He might play cricket for another two or three years, he might play more as well but his fitness will be very important because his hamstring becomes weak repeatedly.

His absence in this series also became an advantage for South Africa because he is an attacking player, plays in an attacking fashion as an opener as well. Whatever experience I have and whatever cricket I have played, I feel the captaincy should be given to Rohit only.”

Rohit was ruled out of the Test series against the Proteas due to a hamstring injury. Azharuddin also mentioned that since Rohit Sharma is a batter, him being 34 is not an issue as he can continue on for 3-4 years more if he keeps his fitness up.