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Cricket Players'Best option is Kohli leading India in Rohit's absence. Pant isn't mature to be the captain': Ex-PAK bowler's bold take
The former Pakistan cricketer feels India can return the captain's armband to Kohli, who quit Test captaincy following India's 1-2 series loss to South Africa.
Rishabh Pant's captaincy in the recently-concluded five-match series against South Africa witnessed two phases. The Indian team lost the first two games before staging a remarkable comeback and ending the series 2-2, with the fifth and final Twenty20 washed out due to rain. Pant and opposition captain Keshav Maharaj shared the trophy but Pant headed to England with a bunch of comments over his leadership and batting skill-set. (Also Read | 'Remember the last time Virat scored 100? Even I don't': Sehwag makes huge prediction, says Kohli's 'bad days' are over)
The 24-year-old stumper was out the same way in each of his four innings -- attempting to fetch the ball from wide outside off stump and being caught. Former players including batting great Sunil Gavaskar also questioned Pant's approach, saying he hasn't learnt from his previous dismissals.
With Dinesh Karthik's emergence in the T20 format, it remains to be seen whether the selectors persist with Pant if he returns lowly scores in the run-up to this year's T20 World Cup. Former Pakistan tweaker Danish Kaneria has also slammed Pant's performance in the series. Kaneria feels the Indian isn't mature enough to lead the side and the pressure of leadership is affecting his batting.
"Rishabh Pant is not mature enough to be captain. He got a chance to lead the side in the South Africa series but did a horrible job. Captaincy also tends to take a toll on his batting. I feel that he shouldn't be the captain anymore," said Kaneria on his YouTube channel.
While Kaneria slammed Pant for his leadership prowess, he backed Virat Kohli's return to the helm. Rohit Sharma tested positive for Covid-19, putting doubts over his availability for the fifth Test against England, which starts July 1. Kaneria said India can return the armband to Kohli, who quit Test captaincy following India's 1-2 series loss to South Africa.
"I'm surprised that Kohli's name isn't being suggested. Pant and Bumrah are in the race to lead the team in Edgbaston. Pujara has been playing in England for so long. He also can lead the team if Rohit isn't available. The best option for India is to give the captaincy to Kohli. He can return if India doesn't find any other option. But I am hopeful that Rohit will be leading the team in the fifth Test," said Kaneria.
"BCCI has indicated that Pant, Bumrah or Ashwin could be given the captaincy if Rohit isn't available. Bumrah shouldn't be given the load of captaincy and he should rather concentrate on his bowling. I wouldn't want him to lead the side."
The upcoming Test match was originally due to have been played last September at Old Trafford in Manchester, but a coronavirus outbreak in the India camp forced the game to be postponed.
