Reports: Rohit Sharma likely to be appointed as India's Test vice-captain for South Africa tour

Rohit Sharma is likely to be named as the vice-captain of the Indian Test side for the challenging tour to South Africa. The tour might be delayed by a week due to the Omicron scare, and might get underway on 26th December 2021, instead of 17th December 2021.

The current vice-captain of the Indian Test side, Ajinkya Rahane has been struggling to score runs, and as a result, the ‘Hitman’ might replace Rahane as the vice-captain of the Indian side in the longest format of the game.

In fact, a top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official said that it is highly likely that Sharma might be appointed as the new Test vice-captain. The official also added that the Indian side will travel to South Africa, and the tour is likely to kick off with the Boxing Day Test match on 26th December 2021.

“The selection meeting will happen in a few days. It is likely that Rohit will be made the vice-captain of the Test team. The Indian team is committed to travel to South Africa. However, the tour will not go on as per schedule. BCCI has communicated to Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it could start the tour with the Boxing Day Test,” said the BCCI official.

The South Africa tour will be curtailed: BCCI official

The BCCI official also added that one Test match might be cut off from the schedule, and the two teams will only contest in 2 Test matches. The official concluded by stating that it is also possible that a T20I match might also be scrapped off as well.

“The tour will be curtailed. The travel plans are being worked out. It’s unlikely the team will leave on December 8. As of now, it looks like the two boards will have to compromise and agree to play two Tests instead of the initially planned three. Maybe a T20I could also be reduced,” concluded the official.