Rohit Sharma can lead India in Tests if he's fit: Ravi Shastri

Virat Kohli’s resignation as India’s Test captain has certainly put the national selectors in a tricky situation. The 33-year-old stepped down from the role following India’s 2-1 defeat in the Test series against South Africa. Now, the biggest question is who’ll step into his shoes? Speaking of the same, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri said there is no problem in elevating Rohit Sharma from vice-captaincy to captain of the Test team.

Rohit, who’s India’s designated white-ball captain now, replaced under-fire Ajinkya Rahane as the the vice-captain of the Test team ahead of the South African tour. However, a hamstring injury restricted him from participating in the series. Subsequently, KL Rahul led India in the second Test as Kohli was unavailable due to an upper back spasm.

If Rohit Sharma is fit, why can’t he be the captain in Tests: Ravi Shastri

With Rohit turning 35 in April and being prone to injuries, many believe the selectors must refrain from making him the Test captain. However, Shastri is of a different opinion.

“If Rohit is fit, why can’t he be the captain in Tests too. He was appointed vice-captain for the South Africa series but he couldn’t go there because of injuries. So why not, if he was made the vice-captain, why can’t he be promoted to captaincy.” Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by India Today.

Shastri also suggested that India can do without naming a vice-captain for a while. “Rohit’s vice-captain has to be seen. Rahul Dravid has to see who that person could be because that player has to be a certainty in the playing XI,” said Shastri.

“I think, why name the vice-captain at all? Decide on the tour who is the most experienced player, who is playing well. You announce your vice-captain in advance, and later you realise that your vice-captain doesn’t fit in your XI,” he added. Shastri also said wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is someone who can be groomed as a leader.

“Rishabh is a tremendous young player. As a coach, I was very fond of him, his attitude and the good thing about him was that he would always listen to you. A lot of people say, he always does what he wants but that’s not true. He reads the game well and would always put my team effort first than self. So he should always be kept in mind for leadership,” Shastri asserted.