Sunil Gavaskar explains why India should not appoint Rohit Sharma as next Test captain after Virat Kohli
Should Rohit Sharma replace Virat Kohli as India's new Test captain?
After Virat Kohli's surprising decision to step down as the Test captain of the Indian cricket team, the search for India's next Test skipper has begun. While limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma is favourite to take over as the leader of the red-ball team as well, not everyone is in favour of the move.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Rohit is not an ideal successor to Kohli considering his excessive workload and fitness issues in recent times. Rohit has been dealing with injuries consistently over the last few years and had missed the recently-concluded Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring issue.
He is also set to miss the entire upcoming three-match ODI series against the Proteas with KL Rahul leading India in his absence. Gavaskar feels India need to look at someone young and fit who can be available for selection at all times.
"The problem with Rohit is that he has fitness issues. So you need a player who remains fit and is available for all matches. If you remember, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews had the same issue with a hamstring. And with that, when you try to run fast or take a quick single, the injury resurfaces," Gavaskar said on Sports Tak as he explained why Rohit should not be made India's new Test skipper.
Also Read: Yuvraj Singh reacts as Gavaskar picks Rishabh Pant to replaceKohli as India's new Test captain
"If that is to happen, you may be forced to name someone else captain. So it's better to pick a player who instead has external injuries. But with Rohit, this cycle of picking up regular injuries is why I am doubtful about him. This is why I feel that only a player who features in all formats should be made captain," he added.
)
Dharmendra Pradhan's 1997 paper leak protest surfaces amid calls for resignation
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
Ukrainian drone wrecks irreplaceable Russian bomber 800km inside the country, satellite images show it halved
)
'Nothing is more important than...': PM Modi announces BIG decision as Delhi student protest grows
)
'Is that a back-up Trump?' Mysterious look-alike standing behind Donald Trump baffles netizens
)
ICC ODI Rankings: Joe Root jumps big, India trio close in on No. 1 spot
)
US House approves $95 billion budget for Trump's war against Iran. Where will the money go?
)
Sonam Wangchuk says the government has agreed to consider Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
)
Trump blames AI for viral video of mystery objects thrown from White House window, WH says ‘maintenance’. Who's lying?
)
Restaurant owner on trial in South Korea after serving 49,000 ants to diners | Gravitas
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
'Driven and courageous': Salman Khan backs student protests, urges education system reforms without political interference
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
IND vs ZIM, 1st T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Man with babyish face spends Rs 10 lakh on beard transplant to be taken seriously at work
)
'National mourning in America': Iran's IRGC issues chilling 9/11-style threat to US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's top 7 most liveable cities in 2026 — Check where India and Pakistan stand
)
Employer pays Rs 4.25 lakh for driver's surgery. What he said to the doctor is an even bigger lesson in kindness
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
Balen Shah's diplomatic U-turn? Nepal PM to hold one-on-one meetings with India, China envoys
)
Did Putin help Iran target CIA bases? US probes Russia's role in Gulf drone strikes
)
Pan Am plane wreckage that remained untraceable for 74 years has finally been found
)
'Don't waste...': CJI Surya Kant breaks silence on Delhi police brutality against protesting students
)
Dharmendra Pradhan's daughter deactivates IG, LinkedIn as protesters demand her father's resignation, target her university page
)
Maharashtra Bandh call on July 23: What all you need to know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 Indian batters with most T20I runs against Zimbabwe
Rohit is not the only contender for the India Test captain job as the likes of KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant are also in the fray. Rahul, who had replaced injured Rohit as the vice-captain during the South Africa Test series, had led India in the second Test after Kohli missed the game due to a back spasm.
On Tuesday (January 18), during the pre-match press conference ahead of the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, Rahul was asked about potentially taking over as the new captain of the Test team. The star batter said it will be a huge honour to lead the national team in the longest format.
"It’ll be an honour if chosen to lead the team. It’s a very exciting prospect and I will try to lead to the best of my abilities. It will be a huge responsibility," said Rahul.