Team India’s regular captain Rohit Sharma has tested positive for COVID-19 during the warm up match against Leicestershire and missed the second innings of the match. Although there is a hope he might return before the big clash with England on July 1, but if wouldn’t be able to make it, then who will lead the Indian side?
Who will lead India in the absence of regular Captain Rohit Sharma?
For now, BCCI has 3 best options to choose from. Jasprit Bumrah, who is the current vice-captain of the side, Rishabh Pant, the standby captain in the recently completed South Africa series, and Virat Kohli, the ex-skipper of team India.
India is currently leading the series by 2-1. And even if they managed to draw the game, they will win the series.
The fifth match is a part of last year’s series. Previous year, before the commencement of the fifth and final tests some of Indian players tested positive for COVID-19 that resulted in postponement of the game. Now the match is rescheduled and will take place in Edgbaston.
If Rohit Sharma won’t be able to play the test, then it will a dilemma for the Indian management. As Rohit is a designated opener of India, and the other KL Rahul is also not there. So, this is the second big question in front of Indian management who should open.
However, they have called-up Mayank Agarwal, while Shubman Gill is already there with the squad. And if Rohit not getting fit, most probably Mayank and Shubman will open the innings for India.
India vs Eng 5th test:
When India played against England last year, Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian team. While Ravi Shastri was the head coach. A lot have changed from then as Virat left his captaincy and Rohit Sharma took over captaincy of all formats.
While the tenure of Ravi Shastri was completed after the T20 World 2021. And Rahul Dravid was appointed as the new head coach of team India.
Ind vs Eng Squad for the 5th test:
India Squad for test against England
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohd Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mayank Agarwal
England Squad for test against India
Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Sam Billings (WK), Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (WK), Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root.
