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 should know what’s happening in first-class cricket too: R Ashwin
As per various reports, Shubman Gill is one of the frontrunners to become India’s new Test captain. Ashwin feels that the 25-year-old’s transition to captaincy will be easier if he can lead Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year. However, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner said that whoever becomes the new Test captain will have to follow first-class cricket.
“I hope Gujarat Titans qualify for the IPL playoffs. If Gill gains honour there, it might make his transition to leadership easier. But captaincy, especially in Tests, is not about one good season. A leader should know what’s happening in first-class cricket too,” he added.
Gill has led India in five T20Is. These games were played in Harare last year against Zimbabwe and India won 4-1. Meanwhile, Jadeja has never led India in any format. Gill is already India’s vice-captain in ODI cricket, and if reports are to be believed, it is only a matter of time before he is unveiled as the new Test skipper.
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