'Don’t like a wicketkeeper as captain, they make good deputies' - Shane Warne names a potential future leader from India

Former Australian spinner Shane Warne has suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should be given vice-captaincy under Rohit Sharma so that the speedster could be groomed in two years’ time. India has been in a spot of bother after Virat Kohli had recently stepped down from Test captaincy following the series loss to South Africa and it remains to be seen who takes over the role. The frontrunners for the position remain, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah but it might not be easy to pick as a lot of factors have to be considered.

Rohit’s persistent injuries, Rahul’s inexperienced leadership will all be looked at and the experts have had various opinions on their captaincy candidates. Bumrah was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the ODI side after Rahul took up the captaincy in absence of Rohit and it clearly, states that the fast bowler is still in the scheme of things. The 28-year-old still has a lot to offer for the side and he is a regular for India in all three formats.

India are very lucky that they have got so many different options: Shane Warne

Former Indian cricketers have voted for Rishabh Pant to take up the captaincy role and Warne had different views on it. He noted that a wicketkeeper is better at being the vice-captain of the side rather than the captain. He also has picked Bumrah to be the deputy for Rohit as Warne wanted the right arm seamer to be groomed for the next two years.

“India are very lucky that they have got so many different options and people that could captain the team. For me, Jasprit Bumrah could do it but I think Rohit for the next couple of years and have him (Bumrah) as deputy. I don’t like a wicketkeeper as captain. I think a wicketkeeper makes a good vice-captain and deputies, never captain.” Warne told Hindustan Times.

Warne also highlighted the ideal choice would have Ajinkya Rahane in Tests who has been completely fallen out of the race now. The Mumbai lad was removed from the vice-captain role ahead of the South Africa tour due to his inconsistent run of form with the bat and is likely to be left out of the squad for the next Test series.

“So that is how I see it but India have got plenty of options. Rahane would be fantastic but his form just has just slipped a little lately. We saw what a terrific job he did in Australia last season when Virat went home. We know he can do a terrific job in the Test area. He just needs to make sure he is making runs,”  Warne added