After Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from red-ball cricket on May 7, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin selected all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as a possible contender to captain the national side in the Test format.
Jadeja became the most seasoned member of the Indian Test team on May 12, the same day that Virat Kohli withdrew from the game’s longest format. Jadeja could serve as a temporary captain for two years, according to Ashwin, allowing a younger player to develop his talents in the interim.
“Remember that Jadeja is the team’s most seasoned player. He ought to participate in the discussion. Jadeja can teach a fresh player for two years and then name him captain if you’re ready to do that. Under Jadeja, they (India) may even use him as vice captain. Speaking on his YouTube show Ash ki Baat, Ashwin stated, “It will appear as though I’m adding a wildcard.”
A leader ought to be aware of events in first-class cricket as well: R Ashwin
Shubman Gill is among the leading candidates to be India’s next Test captain, according to a number of sources. If the 25-year-old can lead Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League (IPL) championship this year, Ashwin believes it will be simpler for him to take over as captain. The spinner for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), however, stated that the new Test skipper must adhere to first-class cricket.
“My goal is for the Gujarat Titans to make it to the IPL playoffs. Gaining respect there could facilitate Gill’s move into leadership. However, being captain, particularly in Test cricket, takes more than one successful season. “A leader should also be aware of what’s going on in first-class cricket,” he continued.
In five T20Is, Gill has guided India. India defeated Zimbabwe 4-1 in these matches played in Harare last year. Jadeja, meanwhile, has never captained India in any capacity. If reports are to be believed, Gill will soon be announced as the new Test captain of India, where he now serves as vice-captain in ODI cricket.