'You must get someone ready' - Yuvraj Singh backs Rishabh Pant to become India's next Test captain

Yuvraj Singh, a former India all-rounder, has urged the selectors to groom Rishabh Pant as India’s possible future captain. Yuvraj claimed that Pant is the ‘right guy’ to head the Indian Test team, citing MS Dhoni as an example. After Virat Kohli stood down as Test captain earlier this year suffering a 1-2 setback in South Africa, Rohit Sharma was named India’s all-format captain. But, at 34, Rohit’s odds of continuing to lead in the longest format for an extended period are minimal.

According to Yuvraj, Pant has to be fostered since he possesses leadership skills and is a lock for a spot in the XI in red-ball cricket. The 40-year-old also believes that Pant should be given the time and attention he deserves. The southpaw also felt that it is not a good idea to expect “miracles” immediately.

“You must get someone ready. Like Mahi became captain out of nowhere but they made him, right! Then he evolved. You pick a young guy who can be a future captain, give him time, and don’t expect miracles in the first six months or a year. I feel you must believe in the younger guys to get the job done,” Yuvraj said on the Sports18 show ‘Home of Heroes’.

Yuvraj believes Pant is the best candidate to lead India in Tests

When Rahul Dravid decided to step down following the 2007 ODI World Cup catastrophe, MS Dhoni, then 26 years old, was named India’s limited-overs captain. After Anil Kumble announced to step down, he was named Test captain a few years later.

Critics who questioned Pant’s maturity were disregarded by Yuvraj Singh. He cited the example of Virat Kohli saying that he was immature when he was asked to lead the Indian Team, but Pant is improving his game with time. He believes that Pant would be the “best candidate” to lead the Indian team forward in International cricket.

“I was immature at that age, and Virat was immature at that age when he was captain. However, he (Pant) is evolving with time. I’m not sure what the support staff thinks, but I believe he is the best candidate to lead the Test team.” Yuvraj added.

Yuvraj noted that he often uses the instance of Australian icon Adam Gilchrist, who batted at number seven in 96 Tests and scored 17 hundreds. “You already have four Test hundreds. In terms of best wicket-keeper batsman, I see Rishabh could be the future legend,” Yuvraj stated. India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, has four hundreds and an average of over 40 in Test cricket. He could have had a few more if he hadn’t gotten out multiple times in the 90s.