Great feeling to be captaining India in all three formats: Rohit Sharma

India’s new all-format skipper Rohit Sharma was elated to have been handed the responsibility of leading the side in all the formats. Virat Kohli had stepped down as India’s Test captain after the series loss to South Africa and Rohit was the first choice to lead the side despite Rahul being another top contender. Rohit hasn’t captained India in Tests so far and the two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka will be the first assignment for him as a permanent Indian Test skipper.

Rohit has been the most successful captain in IPL with five titles for the Mumbai Indians and he has started his international captaincy for India in the limited-overs format with a bang. The 34-year-old has had a stellar run in Tests in 2021 and relished the overseas challenges which prompted the selectors to replace Ajinkya Rahane with Rohit as the vice-captain for Tests.

I was glad and very happy to be captaining: Rohit Sharma

Rohit noted that he is delighted to be the skipper of the Indian side in all the formats and was happy that he was handed over a good side with a lot of talent around. He also opined on Bumrah’s appointment as vice-captain to be one of the best moves and portrayed him to be one of the great minds of the game.

“It is a huge honour and it is always a great feeling to be captaining India in all three formats. I have a lot of challenges to look forward to, once the opportunity came through, I was glad and very happy to be captaining the team, we have a solid bunch of guys, so looking forward to leading them onto the park and seeing what we can create on the field,” said Sharma in press conference ahead of SL series.

“It does not matter too much whether it is a batter of bowler who is the vice-captain. It is the mind that matters and Bumrah has a great mind of the game. I have seen it closely. Honestly, yes, it is a good way for him to step into the leadership role now,” he added.

India and Sri Lanka are slated in to play three T20I games starting from February 24 and it will be followed by a two-match Test series.