If India are looking to groom a new captain, then KL Rahul can be looked at: Sunil Gavaskar

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar feels KL Rahul can be groomed as a new captain after Virat Kohli took the decision to step down as the skipper after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

The Little Master feels Rahul can be made vice-captain in the T20I format as he has performed consistently in the white-ball format.

Rahul was also appointed as Kings XI Punjab captain in 2020 and has done a decent job. The flamboyant batsman has done a good job while batting at the top of the order for Punjab Kings and had finished as the leading run-getter in IPL 2020.

Furthermore, Rahul has been in good form with the bat in the recent past and did a fine job as an opener in the Test series against England.

On the other hand, it is expected that Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team in T20Is after the completion of the T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma has led India in 19 T20Is in which the team has won 15 matches and has lost only four games.

Furthermore, Rohit Sharma is well known for his shrewd captaincy and he has led Mumbai Indians to five titles in the IPL, making them the most successful team in the tournament.

Sunil Gavaskar told India Today, “If India is looking to groom a new captain, then KL Rahul can be looked at. He has performed well. Even now in England, his batting was very good. He has been performing well in the IPL and 50-overs cricket as well at the international stage. He can be made vice-captain. He has shown very impressive leadership qualities in the IPL. He hasn’t let the burden of captaincy affect his batting. His name can be taken into consideration.”

Meanwhile, Kohli has thus far led India in 45 T20I matches in which the team won 27, lost 14 whereas two matches were tied and two ended in no result.

Kohli hasn’t yet led India to any major title under his captaincy and he will look to end his T20I captaincy stint on a high by taking the team to glory in the T20 World Cup.

The Indian players will now be seen in action in the upcoming T20 World Cup.