Don’t see any requirement to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma as India’s limited-overs captain, reckons VVS Laxman

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman feels that Virat Kohli has a phenomenal record at the international circuit and there’s no need to replace him with Rohit Sharma as the captain of the national team. It’s been six years since Virat got the first taste of captaincy and from January 2017 onwards, the 32-year-old has been leading Team India in all three formats.

Even as Laxman backed the Delhi-born Virat to be persisted with as India’s captain, he didn’t forget to praise Rohit for his leadership qualities. Laxman admitted that Sharma possesses the qualities, needed to be a captain, highlighting his journey for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and his brief stints for the Indian team in Kohli’s absence.

Leading a franchise to five titles is not easy, says VVS Laxman

“No doubt he is a wonderful captain. Whenever he led in Virat’s absence he has been successful,” Laxman was quoted as saying during the virtual launch of ‘The Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story’, written by Vijay Lokapally and G. Krishnan.

“Leading a franchise to five titles is not easy. The way he has built the team (Mumbai Indians) and handles tough situations has been superb. He has all the qualities to be a successful captain for India but you don’t have to necessarily look for a change. Virat has had phenomenal success and is doing a fantastic job. I don’t see any requirement to make a change,” he stated.

Laxman also drew parallels of his Test career with that of Rohit’s. Back in 2019, the latter’s career turned around after he was sent to open the batting. He notched 176 and 127 in his very first Test as an opener and followed them up with a knock of 212.

As per VVS Laxman, who once held the record for India’s highest individual Test score, Rohit’s ability to exert pressure on the opposition bowlers speaks volumes about the potential he has.

“His career reminded me of my career, asked to shift in the batting order. Not easy to open against quality fast overs without having opened earlier. He can put pressure on the bowlers once he gets his eye in,” Laxman added.

Rohit is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA after he sustained a hamstring injury during the 2020 IPL. The Nagpur-born won’t be a part of the first two Tests against Australia.