Even as the Indian Premier League is taking center stage, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has spoken out on potential Test captaincy prospects. Yuvraj backed Rishabh Pant, saying the wicketkeeper-batsman could lead India well in the longer format of the game if given enough time with the leadership group.
Virat Kohli unexpectedly stepped down as India’s Test captain after India’s three-match Test series loss to South Africa. Rohit Sharma has been named as his replacement, but it is unclear whether the 34-year-old star opener would be able to handle the pressures of leading the squad in all formats of the game.
Yuvraj Singh picks Rishabh Pant to lead India in Tests
Yuvraj Singh, the former India all-rounder, urges the selectors to support Rishabh Pant as India’s future Test captain. Yuvraj claimed Pant is the ‘right guy’ to head the Indian Test team, citing MS Dhoni as an example.
After Virat Kohli stepped down as Test captain earlier this year following a 1-2 setback in South Africa, Rohit Sharma was named India’s all-format captain. But, at 34, Rohit’s odds of continuing to lead in the longest format for an extended period of time are minimal.
Pant, according to Yuvraj, has to be fostered since he possesses leadership skills and is a lock for a spot in the XI in red-ball cricket.
“You must get someone ready. Like Mahi became captain out of nowhere but they made him, right! Then he evolved. Keeper is always a good thinker because he always has the best view on the ground,” Yuvraj Singh said.
When Rahul Dravid stepped down following the 2007 ODI World Cup catastrophe, Dhoni, then 26 years old, was named India’s limited-overs captain. After Anil Kumble announced his retirement, he was named Test captain a few years later.
Pant, Yuvraj believes, should be given the time and attention he deserves. It’s not a good idea to expect “miracles” immediately.
“You pick a young guy who can be a future captain, give him time, and don’t expect miracles in the first six months or a year. I feel you must believe in the younger guys to get the job done,” Yuvraj added.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj hit back at the critics, claiming that Pant is maturing with each passing day and those famous cricketers such as himself and Virat Kohli lacked maturity when they first began.
“I was immature at that age, Virat was immature when he was captain at that age. But he (Pant) is maturing with time. I don’t know how the support staff thinks about it, but I think he is the right guy to lead the Test team. You already have four Test hundreds already and you can do that. In terms of best wicket-keeper batsman, I see Rishabh could be the future legend,” Yuvraj concluded.
