'Relieve him from T20 captaincy. Manage his workload, mental fatigue': Sehwag's huge statement on Rohit Sharma's future

Rohit Sharma has not been able to feature in all of India's matches since taking over as captain due to injuries and workload management.

Indian cricket has witnessed a massive shift in the past few months. Virat Kohli last year was leading the team in all three formats. Cut to the present, the flamboyant cricketer isn't a part of the top bunch, with Rohit Sharma taking over the leadership mantle from him. India may have found an all-format skipper but the team management currently faces the cumbersome task of finding the perfect playing eleven for the rescheduled Test in England, beginning Friday (July 1).

India captain Rohit Sharma (Getty Images)

In a massive blow to the Indian team, Rohit has contracted Covid-19 and is currently under isolation. He played in a four-day warm-up match against Leicestershire but did not bat in their second innings on Saturday's third day. Opener Mayank Agarwal has been called as a cover and amid the hullabaloo over Rohit's availability, one might wonder whether the 35-year-old batter's workload would be managed while he's leading India across all formats.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels Rohit could be relieved from captaincy duties in the T20 format, which would help him manage his workload in a better manner.

"If the Indian team management has someone else in mind as captain in the T20 format, then I think, Rohit (Sharma) could be relieved and the following can be taken into consideration going forward," Sehwag told PTI in an interview.

“One, that would allow Rohit to manage his workload and mental fatigue, given his age. Two, once someone new is appointed as captain in T20s, it would also allow Rohit to take breaks and rejuvenate himself to lead India in both Tests and ODIs,” Sehwag said in an interaction arranged by Sony Sports, the official broadcaster of the India-England series.

Rohit has not been able to feature in all of India's matches since taking over as captain due to injuries and workload management. But he had scored 368 runs including a hundred in the first four Tests, helping India gain a 2-1 lead in the series in England.

While Rohit's fitness and availability remain a huge concern, Sehwag said the elegant opener is the ideal candidate if the team management prefers one leader across all three formats.

“If the Indian think-tank still wants to pursue with the same policy, which is, to let one man leading India in all the three formats, then I still believe, Rohit Sharma is the best man for it,” said the batting great.

The fifth Test against England is from last year's incomplete series which got spilt to this season due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Indian camp. If Rohit, who renders doubtful for the Edgbaston Test, fails to recover in time, India will have no option but to go with a fresh opening combination.

The Test will also feature Cheteshwar Pujara, who received a callback for the 17-member squad on the back of his superb performances for Sussex in the County Championship. He makes a return to the Test fold alongside Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who were rested for recent the home series against South Africa.