With one eye on the future, Kaif has named the cricketer who should replace Rohit Sharma as skipper in the longest format.
Rohit Sharma and Co suffered a shambolic loss in the recent three-match IND vs NZ Test series. In fact, it was Rohit’s worst-ever outing as skipper of the Indian team.
The Men in Blue suffered their first-ever whitewash at home after losing the contest 3-0. Not only that, the Kiwis also shattered India’s unbeaten record of 12 years at home in the longest format.
Now, with one eye on the future, former India star Mohammad Kaif has named the cricketer who should replace Rohit Sharma, once he calls it quits.
Kaif wants dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to take over the captaincy reins, once the India skipper, who is in the twilight of his career decides to hang up his boots from the format.
Since his return from the horrific car accident, Pant has emerged as the top scorer of the home season, amassing 422 runs in ten innings with an impressive average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 86.47, including three half-centuries and one century. Not only that, the left-hander has showcased his exceptional batting skills with remarkable centuries on foreign soil like Australia, England, and South Africa and has already tied the record for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper.
Speaking about Pant taking over captaincy duties, Kaif on his Instagram live, “From the current team only Rishabh Pant is the contention to be Test captain. He’s worthy of it, whenever he’s played, he’s put the Indian team in front. Whichever number he comes to play, he’s ready to play a match-winning knock. He’s scored in all types of conditions be it England, Australia or South Africa. Be it seaming to turning tracks, he’s a complete batter”.
As India prepares for another series in Australia, Pant’s value as a wicketkeeper-batter will be crucial, with the team aiming for a third consecutive series victory Down Under.
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