Over the years, the evolution of Rohit Sharma has been one of the important aspects of Indian especially his leadership qualities. As per the latest reports of the Times of India, Rohit will be expected to become the vice-captain of the Test team from the South Africa tour later this month. BCCI has finally agreed to start the upcoming tour of South Africa with the Boxing Day (December 26) Test instead of on December 17.

The nine-day delay is for monitoring the situation in South Africa following the emergence of the new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. The management and selectors have been discussing immensely on making Rohit the deputy in Tests, given incumbent Ajinkya Rahane’s poor form.

Ajinkya Rahane in last 2 years :

• 2020– 272 runs from 4 Tests @38.86
• 2021– 407 runs from 12 Tests @20.35
• vs NZ in 1st Test– 35 and 4 runs respectively

Rohit is seen as a crucial cog of the Indian leadership group across formats ever since he has become the full-time skipper in T20Is. According to sources, Rohit Sharma has always been contributing to the selection of the Test team for the ongoing home series against New Zealand.

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Elaborating the same, a top BCCI official said, “The selection meeting will happen in a few days. It is likely that Rohit will be made the vice-captain of the Test team. The Indian team is committed to traveling to South Africa. However, the tour will not go on as per schedule. BCCI has communicated to Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it could start the tour with the Boxing Day Test.”

Ajinkya Rahane as captain :

• Matches: 6
• Victories: 4
• Losses: 0
• Draws: 2

It’s likely that a Test will be cut from the itinerary now. The logistics are being reworked but the Indian cricketers who were rested for the New Zealand series have reached Mumbai for continuing in the quarantine on Friday. Whether they need to start the hard quarantine right away is still to be decided. However, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid wants to have a few training sessions in India with Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur before leaving.

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Explaining the same, as per the quotes in TOI, the BCCI official eleborated, “The tour will be curtailed. The travel plans are being worked out. It’s unlikely the team will leave on December 8. As of now, it looks like the two boards will have to compromise and agree to play two Tests instead of the initially planned three. Maybe a T20I could also be reduced.”