'Too many IPL captains...': Abhishek Nayar reveals reason behind Test vice-captain's absence

India National Cricket Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has finally explained the real reason behind the absence of a vice-captain in the Indian Test team.

Rohit Sharma is currently the Test and ODI skipper of Team India while Suryakumar Yadav leads the side in T20I cricket. Shubman Gill is the designated vice-captain of India National Cricket Team in white-ball cricket but there is no designated vice-captain in the red-ball team.

Earlier in the year, Jasprit Bumrah served as the deputy of Rohit Sharma in the five-match Test series against England National Cricket Team, but when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the series against Bangladesh National Cricket Team, the vice-captain tag was missing from Jasprit Bumrah's name and no other player was handed the role.

Now, the key member of the Gautam Gambhir-led support staff, Abhishek Nayar, stated that there is no need for a designated vice-captain in India's Test team as a lot of players - Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul - who lead their franchises in the Indian Premier League are present in the setup.

"I think we need to understand that we have got a lot of IPL captains in this team. When you talk about the likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, hopefully a Yashasvi going forward. There are a lot of players who have led their franchises," Abhishek Nayar told the media on the eve of the 2nd Test in Kanpur.

You don't need to have a vice-captain that should be designated - Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar further highlighted that the youngsters present in the Indian team have already played a lot of matches in their careers and have leadership qualities in them. He added that the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma makes things better for youngsters as they learn things even quicker.

"I wouldn't look at them as youngsters any more. Yes, they are youngsters in terms of age and the amount of cricket they have played. But, I think overall, mentally and in their development as a cricketer, I think they have the leadership qualities that are required. You don't need to have a vice-captain that should be designated," Abhishek Nayar said.

"I think overall, the thought process of these youngsters is of a senior player. It's of someone who has played a lot of cricket. With the likes of Virat and Rohit in the dressing room, it speedens that process where you are learning a lot faster on the go. I feel our future and all the youngsters are in great hands," Abhishek Nayar added.

Meanwhile, the India National Cricket Team comprehensively won the first Test of the two-match series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, and the second game is scheduled to start on September 27 in Kanpur.

Captain Rohit Sharma will have to ensure he remains fully fit throughout the next few months as India will play a three-match Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team at home after the conclusion of the Bangladesh Tests. After that, Rohit Sharma's team will travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.