Reports: Rohit Sharma likely to be Kohli's deputy at Champions Trophy 2017

Indian opener Rohit Sharma is likely to fill in the capacity of the vice-captain of the Indian team in the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy. Team India is set to leave for England for the ICC mega event soon. They will be playing two warm-up matches prior to heading into the tournament proper that commences on June 1. India will play their first match of the tournament on June 4 at Birmingham against Pakistan.

The Indian squad for the tournament was named a couple of weeks ago. Virat Kohli is set to lead the team for the big tournament where India will head over as the defending champions. However, the selectors did not appoint any vice-captain while announcing the squad. Now, as per some reports, it is speculated that Rohit Sharma is likely to be Kohli’s deputy for the tournament.

Rohit Sharma recently led his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians, to their third title win in the recently concluded 10th edition of the tournament. There have been a section of people who want Rohit to be taking over as the T20 captain as well. That seems to be a far cry at the moment. For now, Rohit is likely to be bestowed with vice-captaincy duties this season.

“The selectors have not announced the name of the vice-captain. However, among themselves, they have already chosen one, but will be announced only if required in emergency,” one of the sources in BCCI revealed.

Rohit’s words on captaincy

Earlier, even Rohit was asked if he would want to take the role of the captain in the future. A very humble Rohit had remarked that he keeps his focus on the next assignment and does not think too far ahead. However, if the opportunity beckons sometime in the future, he will take it with both hands.

“That’s thinking too far ahead. I don’t think too far ahead. When the opportunity comes, it comes. I will grab it with both hands,” he had said.