BCCI in dilemma between Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane for Test captaincy in Virat Kohli's absence

The Indian team is all set to kick off their campaign against New Zealand from November 17 wherein the three-match T20I series will be followed by two Tests. The purest format of the game will be staged between the two cricketing giants from November 25. In the same light of events, BCCI is in a dilemma to name the Test skipper for India.

It is known for all that Indian skipper Virat Kohli took some burden off his shoulder by giving up the T20I captaincy post-T20 World Cup 2021. And, as per the squad announced by the BCCI, ace batter, Rohit Sharma will take up the charge in T20Is. However, Kohli still remains the undisputed choice for leading the side in Tests.

However, BCCI is looking forward to resting some of its senior players due to their jam-packed schedule over the last six months. Seeing the Indian side on road for six months, the announced T20I side against New Zealand doesn’t see the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, etc. The first Test after the T20Is takes place in Kanpur and it is quite likely that Kohli will be missing that game.

Rohit Sharma has recently made his case permanent in Tests

Now there stands a dilemma between Rohit Sharma and Test’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. It remains to be seen will BCCI go with Rahane being the regular member of the format and being Kohli’s deputy for all these years or incline towards Sharma who has recently established his place in the longest format of the game.

Rahane has recently shown some indifferent form too while Sharma continues to fly high with his bat. Moreover, the new Indian head coach Rahul Dravid will take up his duties from this very tour only and his say will also matter in this case while deciding the skipper of the Test side in Kohli’s absence.

Kohli will join his duties from the second Test in Mumbai which will be followed by a full-fledged tour of South Africa. The second Test between India and NZ will be played from December 03-07 in Wankhede Stadium.