5 Players Who Captained India: It is a strange time for the Indian cricket team. Right from the days of Sourav Ganguly in 2000 to Virat Kohli in 2021-22, India always had a definite leader. Even during MS Dhoni (limited-overs) and Kohli (Tests), the fans knew who is leading which side. But right since Virat Kohli left captaincy across formats, it has been musical chairs. Despite the BCCI announcing Rohit Sharma as the new all-format captain, India has had several captains this year.
We Rank Players Who Captained India This Year:
#5 KL Rahul
The early impression of KL Rahul, the leader hasn’t been impressive. He started leading the Punjab Kings in 2020. Rahul’s captaincy left much to be desired in the first couple of seasons. It started affecting the way he batted. Rahul left Punjab to join Lucknow this year. LSG qualified for the playoffs yet Rahul’s captaincy didn’t inspire confidence. He had to lead India in the second Test against South Africa. Rahul later led the side in 3 ODIs, and India went on to lose all four games. At this juncture, Rahul doesn’t appear to be a natural leader.
#4 Rishabh Pant
KL Rahul was expected to lead the side in the home T20I series against South Africa. But a groin injury ruled him out of the series. Rishabh Pant was elevated to the captaincy role. India suffered losses in the first couple of games. Pant’s captaincy was on the firing line. India bounced back in the next two games to equal the series 2-2. Pant’s captaincy progressively seemed to have improved through the course of the series. But there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to his leadership skills.
#3 Hardik Pandya
In his short little stint as captain, Hardik Pandya has impressed one and all. He first led his franchise, Gujarat Titans to IPL glory in their very first season. Pandya was lauded for his fine man-management skills. He led the Indian team in Ireland for a couple of T20Is. The first game was a rain-affected one, India chased down Ireland’s total in just 9 overs. It was in the second game where India was tested.
Pandya kept his calm in a tense game. He let Umran Malik do his thing in the last over when things were stacked against him. Pandya seems to be a captain from the Dhoni school of leadership. India can look at him as a full-time limited-overs captain soon.
#2 Jasprit Bumrah
In the most unexpected of circumstances, Jasprit Bumrah was asked to lead the side in the one-off Test against England. Bumrah first stepped up to land a counter-punching cameo in the first innings. In the process, he smashed the most runs in an over in Test cricket history.
Bumrah later delivered telling blows with the ball. His early burst dented England. Bumrah continued to rally his troops despite England’s charge. He appears as someone who commands the respect of his teammates. Bumrah can be the next permanent red-ball captain for India.
#1 Rohit Sharma
His appointment as India’s full-time captain was long due. Sharma finally became the captain post India’s disastrous exit in T20 World Cup 2021. He led India in 14 games across formats in the home season. India won every game under Rohit. The opponents didn’t stand a chance in any of these games.
Sharma’s experience as a successful leader shone through. Rohit is 35 currently, age is certainly not on his side. But India is banking on him to deliver them two successive World Cups (T20 – 2022, ODI – 2023). He is undoubtedly the right man on whom the country is relying for an ICC Trophy.
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