‘There are a lot of players who have led their franchises’ – Abhishek Nayar explains why India’s Test team doesn’t have vice-captain

Abhishek Nayar. (Source – Twitter/X)

Abhishek Nayar, who is India’s batting coach, revealed why nobody has been named as the deputy of skipper Rohit Sharma in the ongoing two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

India recently embarked on a limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka. Shubman Gill served as the deputy of Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma in the T20I and ODI formats, respectively. However, the position has been left vacant in the Test format. Nayar said that there is no need to have a designated vice-captain because the players are learning quickly thanks to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and being in the company of senior players.

The former India all-rounder said that the likes of Gill and Rishabh Pant have the experience of leading their respective IPL teams and that the future of the squad in the longest format of the game looks promising. It is important to note that Jasprit Bumrah was named as Rohit’s deputy during India’s last Test series, which was a five-match face-off against England earlier this year. However, the star pacer hasn’t been given the added responsibility against Bangladesh. Although, being the senior-most speedster in the side, he is doing some fantastic work in guiding fellow seamers like Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep.

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“I think we need to understand that we have got a lot of IPL captains in this team. When you talk about the likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, hopefully a Yashasvi going forward. There are a lot of players who have led their franchises,” Abhishek Nayar told the media on the eve of the 2nd Test in Kanpur.

I think they have the leadership qualities that are required: Abhishek Nayar

Nayar, who has shaped the careers of many youngsters during his time with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, asserted that Gill and Pant have evolved into strong and mature personalities despite being in the initial years of their careers.

“I wouldn’t look at them as youngsters any more. Yes, they are youngsters in terms of age and the amount of cricket they have played. But, I think overall, mentally and in their development as a cricketer, I think they have the leadership qualities that are required. You don’t need to have a vice-captain that should be designated,” Nayar said.

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“I think overall, the thought process of these youngsters if of a senior player. It’s of someone who has played a lot of cricket. With the likes of Virat, Rohit in the dressing room, it speedens that process where you are learning a lot faster on the go. I feel our future and all the youngsters are in great hands,” he added.