Groom KL Rahul As A Future Indian Captain: Sunil Gavaskar
KL Rahul plays all the three formats for team India.
Virat Kohli, on Thursday, announced that he will step down as India’s T20I captain after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar came out with his preferred choice as the next T20I captain of team India.
Gavaskar wants KL Rahul to be appointed as vice-captain of team India, with Rohit Sharma leading the team from the front. The former India skipper and legend heaped praise on the Karnataka-born and urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to groom KL Rahul as the new captain of team India.
Notably, KL Rahul has been one of the consistent performers in all three formats. Recently, in England, he opened for team India and finished the series with as the second-highest run-getter of his side. He currently leads Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League.
“It’s a good thing that the BCCI is looking ahead. It’s important to think ahead,” said Sunil Gavaskar on Sports Tak.
“If India is looking to groom a new captain, then KL Rahul can be looked at. He has performed well. Even now in England, his batting was very good. He has been performing well in IPL and 50-overs cricket as well on the international stage. He can be made vice-captain,” added Gavaskar.
“He has shown very impressive leadership qualities in the IPL. He hasn’t let the burden of captaincy affect his batting. His name can be taken into consideration,” said Gavaskar.
As of now, it has been speculated that Rohit Sharma, who has been Virat Kohli’s deputy in white-ball cricket will take the role of captain after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
If reports are to be believed, current head coach Ravi Shastri is also going to give up on the coaching responsibilities after his tenure ends after the T20 World cup. However, nothing has been confirmed by BCCI yet.
“There is a CAC that will make the decision. If you want to think about the new coach, then you can’t keep talking to the captain. Yes, there needs to be an understanding between the captain and the coach. But you can’t ask a student who his principal or professor can be,” said Gavaskar.
