Ajinkya Rahane’s journey on the Indian Test side has been marked by ups and downs. After being dropped from the team prior to the home series against Sri Lanka, Rahane found himself out of the international scene. However, his remarkable comeback in the IPL 2023 paved the way for his return to the Indian team for the WTC final, where he emerged as the highest run-scorer with a commendable 89 in the first innings.
Not only did Rahane earn a second chance, but he was also reinstated as the vice-captain for the tour of West Indies. Previously, in December 2021, he had been stripped of the vice-captaincy ahead of the South Africa tour, with Rohit Sharma assuming the role under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. However, after Kohli stepped down as captain, India found themselves without a fixed vice-captain.
The intention behind appointing Rohit as the Test skipper was to groom a young leader under him. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t materialize as expected. KL Rahul’s form declined, Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back injury, and Rishabh Pant was involved in a tragic car accident, making the search for India’s next captain even more crucial.
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After a year and a half, the Indian team turned to Rahane once again, appointing him as the Test vice-captain for the two-match series in West Indies. However, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment with the decision, believing it was a missed opportunity to groom a young player for future leadership.
“There is nothing wrong in having him [Ajinkya Rahane] as the vice-captain, but a missed opportunity to groom a young player. At least, tell a young player that we are looking at you as a future captain. So, he starts to think as a future leader,” Sunil Gavaskar shared his views.
Gavaskar identified three unconventional candidates as potential successors to Rohit Sharma in Test cricket. He mentioned Shubman Gill and Axar Patel as future captains, highlighting Patel’s consistent improvement in every match. Gavaskar believed that entrusting them with the responsibility of vice-captaincy would foster their leadership skills. Additionally, he mentioned Ishan Kishan as a contender once he solidifies his place in the team.
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As India continues their search for the next captain after Rohit Sharma, Gavaskar’s insights shed light on the importance of nurturing young talents and providing them with opportunities to develop their leadership qualities. The decision to appoint Rahane as the vice-captain sparked discussions about the long-term leadership plans for the Indian Test team, with potential candidates emerging from unexpected quarters.
