Rohit Sharma likely to be replaced as India’s Test captain – Major leadership shake-up ahead?
India's next red-ball assignment will be their tour to England for a five-game series.
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The national selectors are understood to have made the decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the Test captaincy of the Indian cricket team for their upcoming five-match tour of England. That said, it remains to be seen whether Rohit will be selected as a specialist batter. It is believed that the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will most likely stand by the selection committee's decision.
The move to transfer the baton of captaincy is understood to be based on Rohit's performances in the longest format of the game, rather than external factors such as age or the need for transition. Rohit has experienced a lean patch in Test cricket. It is learnt that the seasoned campaigner will continue to be in the BCCI's plans as far as ODIs are concerned, though.
“The selectors’ thought process is clear. They want a new leader for the England tour, and Rohit doesn’t fit in as captain, especially considering his red-ball form. They want to groom a young leader for the next Test cycle, and the selection committee has informed the BCCI that Rohit won’t lead the team,” stated a BCCI source, as quoted by The Indian Express.
It is also understood from the same news publication that the selectors were not willing to risk the top order being exposed to instability due to Rohit's recent form in the Test match format. The recent series against Australia (away) and New Zealand (home) saw Rohit average only 6.20 and 15.16 in five innings and six innings, respectively.
Gautam Gambhir hints at selectors deciding Rohit Sharma's future
Notably, this development comes after India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, recently disclosed that any decision regarding the cricketing future of veterans such as Rohit would be taken by the selectors. Rohit, along with most of the other stars, is currently involved with his respective franchise in the Indian Premier League. The tour of England is scheduled to commence on June 20.
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