New Delhi: Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has opined that fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah should be named as the captain of the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy if regular captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test.
There have been reports that the Indian Test captain might miss the first Test due to personal reasons. After India’s 3-0 whitewash to New Zealand on Sunday in Mumbai, Rohit was asked about his availability in the first Test against Australia, which starts on November 22.
Rohit responded that he wasn’t sure whether he will be going and said that he is keeping the fingers crossed, indicating of a possibility to miss the series opener in Perth.
Gavaskar, who played 125 Test matches for India between 1971 and 1987, said that Rohit should be made only to participate as a player in the entire series if he won’t be available for any of the matches unless injury is a concern.
“It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. It’s different if he is injured, but if he is not available, then the deputy leader will be under a lot of pressure,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.
“I have been reading that Rohit Sharma might not play the first two Tests of the Australia series. I feel that, in that case the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah the captain of the side for the entire Australia tour, and tell Rohit Sharma that you will participate as a player in this series. For the first Test match, Rohit Sharma has to be there,” he added.
Rohit’s captaincy under question after New Zealand Test series loss
Rohit is under tremendous pressure after India suffered its first Test series defeat on home soil in 12 years. New Zealand performed exceptionally in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai to hand India their first-ever whitewash in a three-match series.
Many experts and fans were left bemused with Rohit’s tactics be it the decision to bat first in Bengaluru or shuffling the batting order at times or field placements or the bowling options at different junctures. India’s chances to make it through the World Test Championship (WTC) final are arduous as the team needs to win at least four out of the five Test matches Down Under.
