The 2023 World Test Championship Final saw India fall short once again, finishing as runners-up to Australia at The Oval. However, it also highlighted an underlying concern - the age of several key players in the Indian team, including captain Rohit Sharma. With India gearing up for the next cycle of the World Test Championship, questions arise about Rohit's captaincy and the need for a transition plan.
Since the inception of the World Test Championship cycle in 2019, India has twice been the runner-up, first under Virat Kohli's leadership and now with Rohit at the helm. As India embarks on the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, starting on July 12, it begs the question of whether Rohit should continue leading the team throughout the next two-year cycle, considering that he will be 38 by the time the 2025 WTC Final arrives.
Devang Gandhi, former India opener and national selector, emphasizes the importance of the current selection committee addressing this matter with Rohit. He believes it is crucial for the selectors to have a discussion with Rohit and chart a course for the Indian team regarding Test captaincy for the future.
Under Rohit's captaincy, India has played ten Tests, winning four, drawing one, and losing two. However, Rohit has missed three matches due to various reasons. This raises the question of whether Ajinkya Rahane, who led India to a memorable series victory in Australia in 2021, or even Ravichandran Ashwin, could step in as interim captains until a suitable young talent is groomed for the role.
Gandhi suggests that giving the captaincy to either Rahane or Ashwin could serve as an interim solution while grooming a future captain. This approach would allow the team to maintain stability and leadership while preparing a young player to take over in the long term.
Split captaincy could be a viable option in the next few years, considering the demanding schedule and the benefits other teams, like England, have reaped from it. India already has a semblance of split captaincy in place, with Hardik Pandya leading in T20Is while Rohit takes charge in Tests and ODIs. Gandhi predicts that this trend may continue in the future.
As India navigates through the challenges of international cricket, the time has come to contemplate a smooth transition in Test captaincy. The selectors must engage in open conversations with Rohit and explore alternatives like Rahane or Ashwin, considering the long-term development of the team. It is a delicate balance between immediate success and grooming the leaders of tomorrow. The journey towards finding the right Test captain for India begins now.