Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma's successor as Test captain: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif has asserted that Rishabh Pant should be the next Test captain for India when Rohit Sharma's reign comes to an end because the wicketkeeper-batter keeps the team above everything else and has done well in overseas conditions.

Rohit, 37, is at the fag end of his career. After India were whitewashed by New Zealand in the home Test series on November 3, questions have been raised about Rohit's batting and captaincy. However, the Mumbai batter did not sound too worried in the press conference as he shifted his focus to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-24.

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Rohit is expected to miss the first Test of the five-match series against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah has been named as the vice-captain for the tour and will lead the Asian giants in Rohit's absence. However, Kaif wants to see Pant in the leadership role in the long run.

“From the current team only Rishabh Pant is the contention to be Test captain. He’s worthy of it, whenever he’s played, he’s put the Indian team in front. Whichever number he comes to play [at], he’s ready to play a match-winning knock. He’s scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia or South Africa; be it seaming to turning tracks. He’s a complete batter,” said Kaif on his Instagram live.

When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend: Mohammad Kaif

Rishabh Pant scored half-centuries in both innings of the third Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While the other Indian batters struggled in the spin-friendly conditions, Pant kept India in the hunt as they were in pursuit of a 147-run target.

However, after his dismissal for a quickfire 64 off 57 balls, the Kiwis did not take much time to get rid of the batters to follow and registered a memorable 25-run win. Kaif said that Pant will retire as a legend of the game. The former India cricketer noted that New Zealand were worried till the time Pant was at the crease.

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“When Rishabh Pant will be playing his last Test match, he will retire as a legend. He’s shown that already, his keeping has improved drastically. Till he was at the crease, New Zealand didn’t breathe easy. Hence, I believe from the current lot, if you’re looking for a future captain, Rishabh Pant deserves to be Rohit Sharma’s successor, especially in Test cricket,” he added.