‘Reads the game well behind the stumps’ – Yuvraj Singh backs Rishabh Pant to become India’s Test captain

India’s Test team seems in the middle of nowhere as Virat Kohli steps down as captain. The 33-year-old took to social media platforms on Saturday (January 15) and announced about leaving the role. Now, the biggest question is who’ll fill the boots of India’s most successful Test skipper. The options are plenty but no choice is straightforward.

The designated vice-captain of the Test team, Rohit Sharma already has the reins in white-ball cricket. Also, the veteran opener is 34 and prone to injuries. Selectors would certainly consider these factors while naming the new Test skipper. Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has Rishabh Pant to take over the reins from Kohli.

Yuvraj Singh wants Rishabh Pant to take the charge

Yuvraj feels the wicketkeeper brilliantly reads the game behind the stumps and is ready to take the charge. The ex-Indian cricketer put his opinion forward while reacting to Sunil Gavaskar’s comments. Gavaskar feels the leadership responsibility would make Pant a better player and Yuvraj couldn’t agree more. “Absolutely! Reads the game well behind the stumps,” tweeted Yuvraj while reacting to Gavaskar’s comment.

Absolutely! Reads the game well behind the stumps

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 15, 2022

Meanwhile, Gavaskar reckons the next Test captain should be an automatic pick across formats. Hence, Pant should be given the role.

“It’s going to be quite a debate as far as the selection committee is concerned as to who should be taking Indian cricket forward. First of all, it should be someone who is an automatic pick across all formats of the game. Once that happens, it will be a lot easier. If you ask me, I am still staying, I would look at Rishabh Pant as next India captain,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“For one reason only, just like Rohit Sharma was given the captaincy of Mumbai Indians when Ricky Ponting stepped down, look at the change in his batting after that. Suddenly the responsibility of being captain made him convert those beautiful cameos of 30s, 40s and 50s into hundreds, 150s and 200s,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pant, who recently slammed a staggering century in the Cape Town, has emerged as one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in the format. At 24, the southpaw has a long way to go and it will be interesting to see whether the BCCI selectors are on the same page with Yuvraj and Gavaskar.