3 Players who can replace Rohit Sharma as Team India T20I captain

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Getty Images)

Following a lacklustre T20 World Cup 2022 which marked Rohit Sharma’s initial major assignment as captain of the Indian team, the recently-concluded marquee event showcased a significant turnaround for him. He excelled both as skipper and batter, demonstrating strong leadership on the field with his assertive mentality. Additionally, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer of this edition, accumulating 257 runs in eight matches.

However, his announcement during the post-match press conference following the nail-biting seven-run victory indicated that a vacancy will temporarily exist, with certain candidates appearing poised to be considered for the role.

Let’s explore the top three prospective candidates who could fill in for Rohit Sharma in the T20I team:

1. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya. (Source – Twitter/X)

Despite a forgettable stint with the Mumbai Indians in his comeback season with the five-time IPL champions, Hardik had notable success with the Gujarat Titans, leading them to victory in their inaugural season in 2022 and securing a runners-up position the following year. He showcased impressive batting performances during these seasons, often batting at No. 4. Notably, he scored 487 runs for GT in their first season.

Pandya also made a strong comeback in the T20 World Cup 2024, excelling both with the bat and ball.  Additionally, reaching the milestone of playing exactly 100 T20Is for India underscores his wealth of experience in the format.

Regarding his track record in T20Is for India, he has led the team to victory in 10 out of 16 matches, with one match resulting in a tie. Furthermore, he exhibits a gritty and resilient character, evident in both his press conferences and his on-field demeanor, characterized by a blend of fierceness and competitive spirit, which makes him a really good fit for the role.

2. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah (Source : Twitter )

Already established as India’s premier pace-bowling spearhead for many years, Bumrah is adept at handling pressure and consistently delivering outstanding performances. His calm and composed comportment amidst numerous high-pressure situations sets him up as a subsequent leader.

He made a remarkable comeback and was entrusted with his debut captaincy assignment against Ireland last year following a year-long injury layoff from the squad, leading them to a 2-0 series victory, with the third T20I being washed out.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Although Suryakumar lacks the same level of experience as the previous two candidates, his extensive domestic T20 exposure and diverse involvement in various setups enrich his knowledge and favour this dynamic batter. His leadership qualities are evident in his level-headed batting style and innovative approach, exemplified by his fearless execution of unorthodox shots from the outset, demonstrating his confidence in his abilities.

Among the three, SKY boasts the second-highest win percentage while captaining India, having secured victory in 5 out of the 7 matches he has led.