‘If it happens, it will be clear that there is tension between them’ – Salman Butt on chances of Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli as Test skipper

Veteran Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt reckoned that chances of Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli as the skipper of the Indian Test team is remote. Of late, Rohit and Kohli are reported to be involved in a rift, but the latter has brushed off the speculations surrounding the same.

Recently, Rohit has replaced Kohli as the skipper of the Indian ODI and T20I teams. Butt, who last played for Pakistan a decade ago, said that if the Board of Control for Cricket in India brings Rohit onboard as India’s Test skipper, it will add fuel to fire to the reports.

I don’t think it will happen, says Salman Butt

“I don’t think it should happen; it won’t be of any benefit. But I can’t say whether it will happen or not. If it happens, it will be clear that there is tension between them and that they are not getting along very well,” Butt was quoted as saying, Hindustan Times reported.

It’s pertinent to note that Kohli is the most successful skipper for India in Test cricket. Back in 2019 during India’s tour of the West Indies, the now 33-year-old surpassed MS Dhoni’s tally of most wins as an Indian Test skipper.

Butt reckoned that eyebrows will be furrowed if Kohli doesn’t remain India’s Test skipper if he couldn’t lead his team to victory in South Africa.

“There can’t be any other reason to snatch the captaincy away from a captain who has won the most number of matches abroad among all other Indian skippers. One series shouldn’t affect his captaincy. I don’t think it will happen and the lesser they happen, the better. And if they happen often, then that’s harmful for cricket,” he added.

India are scheduled to take part in three Test matches in South Africa, starting December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Johannesburg and Cape Town will host the other two red-ball matches.

Kohli, recently, led India to a 1-0 series win in their two-match Test series against New Zealand. The Delhi-born batter has also come under fire as he hasn’t scored an international century for more than two years.