The destiny of Team India’s senior players are still unknown following their heartbreaking loss in the 2023 World Cup final.
By the time of the next ODI World Cup, some players will be around forty years old. Therefore, the BCCI may choose to give the quadrennial competition precedence over the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma represents a unique talent. The Indian team leader showed impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup. Yet, at 36, he’s faced some health challenges in the past few years.
Surely, India will think about naming a replacement for Rohit Sharma, who may not be there even for the Champions Trophy in two years. Fortunate for them, several contenders exist within their present team.
Here, we make an effort to order the three front-runners to succeed Rohit Sharma as captain of Team India for the ODIs.
3. Shreyas Iyer
It appeared as though Shreyas Iyer could not even be a regular in the Indian playing XI just before the 2023 World Cup. However, the team administration has always had trust in the batter, and with good reason-after his 2022 season was so successful.
Shreyas achieved 530 runs with a strike rate of 113.24 and an average of 66.25 at the World Cup, making a significant impact. He scored seven runs in the competition, which placed him seventh overall, and he made several important hits for the Men in Blue.
Shreyas has established himself as an important part of the middle order in ODIs and is anticipated to be considered when the selectors look to replace Rohit Sharma. He has displayed unrivaled mental toughness under duress and certainly has a cool head on his shoulders.
Shreyas has previous leadership experience in local cricket as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is slated to return to the helm of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after missing the entire 2023 season due to a shoulder ailment. He was seen taking on more duties with the national ODI team as well.
2. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, India’s vice-captain for the 2023 World Cup, appeared to be the overwhelming favorite to succeed Rohit Sharma as the country’s white-ball captain. He has led in every T20I assignment he has been available for since the 2022 T20 World Cup, as well as the rare ODI.
Though Hardik has suffered yet another injury midway through India’s World Cup campaign, worries about his availability and health have forced such plans to be shelved. There are significant questions about his ability to lead consistently in the 50-over format when he was sidelined for the remainder of the competition.
Not surprisingly, Hardik is among the first names on the ODI teamsheet and has shown himself to be a strategically smart commander. Giving him the reins, meanwhile, would not be the most prudent decision given his failing health.
1. KL Rahul
KL Rahul took over as India’s vice-captain after Hardik was ruled out of the 2023 World Cup. And he might be the favorite to succeed Rohit Sharma as full-time ODI captain.
Rahul has established himself as perhaps the finest middle-order hitter in the world after a spectacular spell at No. 5 and is gradually winning over even his harshest critics. His glovework behind the plate has also been flawless, and few players are as skilled with the DRS as he is.
Rahul is another player who has led at the IPL level for some time, despite his captaincy being frequently criticized for being strategically off the mark. He will, however, improve, and the composure he brings to the table will serve him well.
Although Hardik and Shreyas are perhaps better tactical choices, Rahul appears to be the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma at the moment.
