IND vs WI: India’s lineups for the approaching Test and ODI series against West Indies were formally announced earlier this week. The Rohit Sharma-led is set to travel to the Caribbean next month for a full-fledged tour, comprising a series of all three formats. Kicking off on the 12th of July with the red ball series, the much-anticipated tour will be India’a maiden assignment after the recently-concluded WTC final.
Multiple extensive developments emerged from Mumbai after India’s squad announcement. The re-appointment of Ajinkya Rahane as the Test vice-captain possibly remained the biggest one. Rahane, who made his comeback in the team during the WTC final 2023, will now be Rohit Sharma’s deputy. Indian selectors faced notable criticism after the exact decision as fans believe a younger candidate would have been ideal for the vice-captaincy role.
Missed opportunity to groom a young player: Sunil Gavaskar
Meanwhile, veteran India batter Sunil Gavaskar expressed his dissatisfaction after the appointment of 35-year-old Ajinkya Rahane as India’s Test captain. Gavaskar believes that it was a great opportunity for the selectors to groom a young player in the leadership role, having an eye on the future. The 73-year-old has backed the likes of Shubman Gill and Axar Patel to possess India’s future captaincy role.
“One is Shubman Gill and the other is Axar Patel (as future captain) because Axar comes in leaps and bounds, he just gets better every match. If there are others, somebody like Ishan Kishan, once he cements his place in the team. He can come in the reckoning as well,” said Gavaskar
“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.” the Mumbaikar further added
While Shubman Gill has more or less cemented his place in India’s lineup across all three formats, it is a completely different case for Axar Patel. Patel does not feature in India’s starting XI consistently, which makes him an unpopular choice for future captaincy.
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