No Need To Replace Virat Kohli With Rohit Sharma as Limited Overs Captain Says VVS Laxman
Former India Test specialist VVS Laxman opened up on the captaincy debate between Indian captain Virat Kohli and his limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma.
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman feels that there is no need to replace Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma as the limited-overs captain. Ever since Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to the fifth IPL title, the debate over his limited-overs captaincy has raged. While many think that he is a good candidate to replace Virat Kohli as the captain of the limited-overs team, VVS Laxman feels otherwise.
“No doubt he is a wonderful captain. Whenever he led in Virat’s absence he has been successful,” said Laxman at the virtual launch of ‘The Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story’, written by Vijay Lokapally and G Krishnan.
“Leading a franchise to five titles is not easy. The way he has built the team (Mumbai Indians) and handles tough situations has been superb. He has all the qualities to be a successful captain for India but you don’t have to necessarily look for a change. Virat has had phenomenal success and is doing a fantastic job. I don’t see any requirement to make a change.”
Rohit Sharma Can Put Pressure On The Bowlers Once He Gets His Eye In: VVS Laxman
Laxman further said that Rohit Sharma has had a “stop-start career” in Test cricket and that his [Rohit Sharma] career reminds of his own.
“His career reminded me of my career, asked to shift in the batting order. Not easy to open against quality fast bowlers without having opened earlier. He can put pressure on the bowlers once he gets his eye in,” he said.
“But he has been bogged by injuries. He is talented enough to succeed as a Test match player. The first time I saw him was in 2005 in the KSCA tournament. He had a lot of time against the fast bowlers but struggled against the spinners.
A year later I saw him so improved and he was clearing the boundary with such ease at No. 6, changing the momentum of the game. I knew he had the ability to do something special. We struggle to get a double hundred in Test cricket and he has done it three times in One-day cricket.”
Former India captain Anil Kumble, who was also part of the book launch, said Rohit would be ready to take over the reins when the ‘time comes.’
“[He was] extremely confident when we gave him the captaincy offer at Mumbai Indians. It came naturally to him. He is ready for the challenge. Good we are discussing that we have the option of a second guy. We are lucky we have Rohit who has been successful [in the IPL]. When the time comes and the need I am sure he will be ready,” said Kumble, who has been a part of the Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff.
