Rohit Sharma led Team India to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and they lifted the trophy after 17 years. It was India’s first ICC title since 2013. It was a dream-come-true moment for the players, management, and fans, who waited for it for a long time. But after that, India’s seniro trio, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their T20I retirements.
It was the end of an era because these three have been part of the team for a decade and a half. India need to grind hard to find the right replacement for these three in a shorter format. But before that, they have to find the captain. With Rohit no longer playing in T20Is, India need a stable captain who is available for T20I assignments. So we will talk here about three ideal candidates who can replace Rohit Sharma as T20I captain.
Three Players who are ideal replacements for Rohit Sharma as T20I captain
3. Rishabh Pant
Before his car accident, Rishabh Pant was a potential candidate for India’s captaincy in T20Is. He even led India in a series against South Africa in 2022, which ended in a draw. Generally, we have seen some great wicketkeepers become good captains because of their smart brains, and Pant can be one of them. He is still young and a regular member of the team. With the captaincy responsibility, he can improve his game even more and will be one of the contenders.
2. Suryakumar Kumar
Generally, the best player on the team gets the responsibility of leading the team. That’s where we see Suryakumar Yadav ticking all the boxes. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not available any more, a lot of batting responsibility depends on Suryakumar’s shoulders. He has been a match-winner for India in T20Is and can be a good option. He has led the team against Australia and South Africa and won both series. So with his ability in T20Is, India can look up to him after Rohit Sharma.
1. Hardik Pandya
Well, it won’t be a surprise if India give the captaincy to Hardik Pandya. He has been India’s vice captain with Rohit Sharma and has done brilliantly with his all-round skills. Under Hardik, India have played a few series and done well. He is likely to be India’s next white-ball captain. He doesn’t play red-ball cricket because it’s easy for him to concentrate. Jasprit Bumraqh was a good option, but as an all-format player, he can’t play every series. That’s why Hardik is a good option.
Also Read: 3 players who are ideal replacements for Ravindra Jadeja in T20Is