Ever since Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to the fifth IPL title, there have been many who have said that it was time for the reigns of India’s T20 team to be given to the India batsman.
Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel, who announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on Wednesday also joined in the debate.
Parthiv Patel feels that there is nothing wrong in giving the captaincy of at least one format to Rohit Sharma. At the same time, he also added that if Mumbai Indians’ skipper is fit to play then he should be given the captaincy ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
“Rohit Sharma has shown us how to build a team. He has shown us how to win a tournament. I think there is no harm in giving him the captaincy in one format. This will also relieve Virat Kohli of some pressure,” Parthiv Patel said on ‘Sports Tak’.
“With him [Rohit] winning so many tournaments, it will be interesting to see how he takes decisions under pressure. Mumbai Indians does not have a settled team every season, but Rohit Sharma has shown that he knows how to build players and show results.
“According to me for the T20 World Cup, if Rohit Sharma is fit to play, he should be given the captaincy ahead of the tournament,” he added.
The debate is Happening Because India Has Other Options: Parthiv Patel
Parthiv Patel further opened up on the comparisons and options in team India. He feels that the debate over captaincy happens because India has many options when it comes to captaincy. He added that the IPL has shown there are other options for India that can be taken as and when the need for them arises.
“The debate should not create a rivalry between the two (Rohit and Virat), but the reason we are discussing this question is that India has options (in captaincy). If there were no options then there would be no comparisons. The IPL has given a platform to both the players and therefore the comparison between their captaincies will be there,” he added.
The 35-year-old has featured in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs and a couple of T20Is for India. In domestic cricket, he featured in 194 first-class matches for Gujarat.
Parthiv Patel last wore Indian jersey in 2018 during a Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg. The left-handed batsman and keeper took to Twitter to announce his retirement on Wednesday.