Reports: Rohit Sharma set to be named India T20I skipper, Kohli likely to be rested for 1st Test vs NZ

India’s T20I and Test squads are likely to be announced over the next 24 hours for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. It is almost certain now that Rohit Sharma will take over the captaincy mantle in the T20Is with Virat Kohli stepping down. However, the bigger news is Rohit also being named the captain for the first Test against New Zealand with Kohli likely to rest and then taking the charge for the second and final Test.

It has also been understood that Kohli will also miss the T20I series alongside other senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy who went wicketless in three matches of the T20 World Cup might also lose his place to Harshal Patel who won the Purple Cap in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to reports in Times of India, Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane might get another chance despite a drop in form on England tour while KL Rahul will be named the vice-captain for the T20I series.

Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar to be picked in T20I squad

The report further added that the traveling reserves of the World Cup squad, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar will be part of the main squad this time around. Rahul Chahar played only one game in the World Cup conceding 30 wicketless runs against Namibia. But he is expected to be retained in the squad while there is no news on Yuzvendra Chahal’s comeback as of now.

As far as Rohit Sharma being made the captain for the first Test is concerned, the sources close to the developments have cleared that it is only a temporary move and Kohli will take charge from second Test. “Please don’t read much into Virat resting for the initial matches. He’ll be back to captain the team from the second Test. The Test team is his and he’s done phenomenally well,” the sources said.

The three-match T20I series is set to begin on November 17 in Jaipur, Ranchi and Kolkata respectively while the Test series commences on November 25 as Kanpur and Mumbai will play hosts.