Brad Hogg Picks Ajinkya Rahane To Lead The Indian Team Ahead Of Rohit Sharma In Virat Kohli's Absence

With regular Test skipper, Virat Kohli set to miss the last three Test matches of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and the BCCI not clarifying as to whether the designated vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team in Virat’s absence, the jury has been divided on the possible successor of the 32-year-old.

While some experts have suggested that Ajinkya Rahane– the designated vice-captain- should lead the Test team, the likes of Irfan Pathan have reckoned that 5-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma should spearhead the unit.

Former Australian leg-spinner Brad Hogg recently weighed in on the debate when he was asked for his views on the issue by a fan on Twitter.

The former World Cup-winner backed vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane to do a ‘fine job’ besides adding that Rohit Sharma’s overseas record does not make him a certainty in the Test team.

“Rahane will do a fine job. The only other option would be Rohit but his record touring in Test Cricket provides no certainty of him holding a spot in the team,” Hogg tweeted.

Rahane will do a fine job. The only other option would be Rohit but his record touring in Test Cricket provides no certainty of him holding a spot in the team. #Cricket #INDvAUS https://t.co/7sPXlw1PB5

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) November 16, 2020

Will Rohit Sharma make his opportunity count as a Test opener in Australia? Will Ajinkya Rahane lead the team in Virat Kohli’s absence?

Rohit Sharma’s Test career thus far has been chalk and cheese as far as his performances at home and overseas are concerned. The stylish opener, who made his Test debut in 2013, has an average of 88.33 with six centuries and five half-centuries in home conditions.

But when it comes to overseas conditions, his average drops to 26.32, and the ‘Hitman’ is yet to make a three-figure score in Tests away from home. Rohit made his debut as Test opener last winter against South Africa and he proceeded to have a successful stint as he smashed consecutive hundreds in his maiden Test as a red-ball opener but his real challenger was always going to be the overseas tours.

He missed out on the New Zealand Test series earlier this year due to injury and the upcoming rubber against the Aussies could well be ‘make or break’ for the white-ball legend as far as his career in the longest format is concerned.

As far as Ajinkya Rahane is concerned, the Indian vice-captain has done a decent job every time he has stepped in Virat’s shoes as captain. Rahane led Team India to a memorable win in the decider Test of the 2017 series at home against Australia after Virat was ruled out due to injury.

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