Four players who can lead the Indian ODI side in Virat Kohli's absence

In India, we have this fascination to compare people. Though, Captains are the creature of the team they have, the environment they live in, the environment they inherit, and the players they have around to give advice. We witnessed many captains in last two decades, but there were only few who left a benchmark. Right through Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and now Virat Kohli.

The most pertinent part after Virat Kohli took over Mahendra Singh Dhoni as full-time captain was to maintain the legacy which has been left behind and Indian team seems to be having a dream run under his captaincy and has been able to prove his stature as captain as well.

According to reports, Virat Kohli has traversed close to 90,000 kms over the last one year, which started from last year’s Caribbean tour to ongoing Sri Lankan tour. Interestingly, the circumference of Earth is less than half of that figure.

Virat Kohli has missed only one match in India’s 43 matches across all three formats which speaks volumes about his fitness. Perhaps the time is now, against the Lankans, to tap the adroitness of other potential skippers, and give Kohli some well-deserved time to unwind. Here are four players who can take the job as captain in Virat’s absence:

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy record is well known to every cricket fan and in Virat’s absence; he could well be favourite to fit in and start with reigning man-in-charge for IPL Champions Mumbai Indians’. He was promoted ahead of Ajinkya Rahane for the post of Vice Captaincy for Champions Trophy and it will be a perfect time to test his captaincy skills at International level. He will definitely be India’s first choice.

Ajinkya Rahane

With Ajinkya Rahane comes the sense of responsibility and has been able to give the taste of it on many occasions. In past, Rahane is asked to fill in shoes for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and hasn’t disappointed the selectors at all.

Recently, in absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, he captained India to a memorable win against Australia which helped India to win series 2-1. It won’t be a surprise if selectors choose experience over skill.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikar Dhawan has been a rock at the top, fluently garnering runs across countries. The moustache rolling southpaw is having a time of life and everything seems to be going his way. Recently enough, Dhawan wasn’t a part Test squad against Sri Lanka and unfortunately, Murali Vijay got injured which helped him to represent the white jersey again.

Opportunities are showering and he seems to be grabbing it with both hands. It will be interesting to see if selectors put faith in 30-year-old lad for captaincy job.

Ravichandran Ashwin

India has produced an exceptional captain in form of Anil Kumble and could well try another spin bowler to do the job for the side. He has been a regular face in all three formats and played under many captains. In past, he has been seen passing on his views to Virat and could well be eyeing to implement those ideas from the front.

Series starts in a week’s time

It will be interesting to see India’s first choice in Virat’s absence but these four players definitely stand a chance to captain India in limited overs. India will play five one-day Internationals and lone T20 international against Sri Lanka which is scheduled to start in a week’s time.