Not Hardik Or KL Rahul!! Robin Uthappa Predicts India's Next Limited-Overs Captain

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has suggested a name that could replace Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian team in the limited-overs format. There’s no denying that Rohit Sharma’s days in limited-overs cricket are numbered.

The 36-year-old has not played a T20I game for Team India since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in October last year. It would not be surprising if he does not play any more T20Is for India. As far as ODIs are concerned, it is tough to see him continue playing the format after the ongoing World Cup. He will be over 40 years old when the next ODI World Cup takes place and is unlikely to play the format till then.

The selectors will have a big challenge ahead of them once Rohit Sharma bids adieu to the 50-over format. They will not only have to find a replacement for him as a batter but also as a leader. His performance as a captain in the ongoing World Cup has made it quite clear that replacing him would not be an easy task.

Robin Uthappa suggests Rohit Sharma’s replacement:

The likes of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul are being seen by many as the front runners to replace Rohit Sharma as the captain of the side. Hardik has been leading the T20I team since the conclusion of the T20 World Cup last year while Rahul was recently re-appointed as the vice-captain of the ODI team after an injury ruled Hardik out of the ongoing World Cup.

And while only time will tell who becomes India’s next limited-overs captain, Robin Uthappa has stated that he would not be very surprised if Shreyas Iyer goes on to become the captain of the team. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the T20 World Cup winner heaped praise on Iyer’s performance in the ongoing World Cup and backed him to become the captain of the limited-overs teams.

“Whatever was said about his issues with the short ball, he has shown he has put in a lot of hard work and he seems to be confident as well. He looks very very good. He looks very good at No.4. If he continues to perform this way, I won’t be surprised if he becomes the captain of the Indian side. Especially in white-ball cricket,” said Robin Uthappa.

Iyer has been one of India’s best performers with the bat in the ongoing World Cup. While he did face criticism for his failure in the early stages of the competition, he has hit top gear in the second half. In his last three innings, he has registered scores of 128*, 77 and 82.