Rohit Sharma replaces Virat Kohli as India's ODI captain, displaces Ajinkya Rahane as Test vice-captain

In what can be called a major announcement, Rohit Sharma has replaced Virat Kohli as India’s full-time ODI captain. Reports of Rohit getting the reins of ODI team were doing rounds since and while and the news became official on Wednesday (December 8). Notably, Rohit has also replaced Ajinkya Rahane as India’s Test vice-captain for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

For the unversed, Kohli stepped down as India’s T20I captain following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2021 last month. While Rohit was straightway given the reins of the T20I team, many reckoned the veteran opener should get the charge of the ODI side as well. After all, Kohli cited workload management behind his decision of stepping down as T20I captain.

Also, Rohit is a proven star of the 50-over format and has even led India in Kohli’s absence in the past. BCCI confirmed the developments by officially naming Rohit as ODI skipper. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee also decided to name Mr Rohit Sharma as the Captain of the ODI & T20I teams going forward,” BCCI’s official Twitter handle wrote in a tweet.

Rohit Sharma replaces Ajinkya Rahane as India’s Test vice-captain

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane has been axed as Kohli’s deputy in the Test matches. Rahane, who led India in first Test of the recently-concluded series against New Zealand, has been short of runs lately. The same has earned him a lot of criticism from different corners. Many have even questioned his place in the playing XI.

While Rahane managed to retain his place for South Africa Tests, he was stripped off as vice-captain of the team. Rohit will now be Kohli’s deputy in Test matches. Hence, the South Africa tour would be very crucial for the veteran opener and it would be interesting to see how he performs. Notably, the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill and Axar Patel have been left out of the Test squad due to injury issues.

India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj.