Steve Smith names two potential successors for India's Test captaincy

Virat Kohli shook the world by deciding to step down as Team India’s Test captain a couple of weeks ago after the Test series loss to South Africa. Kohli had led India for seven years in whites and under his reign, the Indian team were at the pinnacle of the ICC Test rankings for 42 months and remained undefeated in the home Test series.

Nearly a fortnight after the batting icon relinquished Test captaincy, his long-time on-field rival Steve Smith has come forward and congratulated him on leading the side exceptionally well in the longest format and at the same time, also revealed two potential candidates who could succeed him.

During a recent Instagram live Q & A session, a fan had asked Smith who should be India’s next Test captain after Virat Kohli stepped down from the role to which he recommended the current Indian white-ball skipper and his deputy’s names.

KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are probably the favorites, says Steve Smith

“Firstly, congratulations to Virat who’s led the Indian team superbly well for the last six or seven years. He has done a terrific job and looking forward I’d say probably Rohit (Sharma)  or KL (Rahul)  are the two favorites”, said Smith during the session which he also posted as his Insta story.

In the same live session, Steve Smith also said that he was watching the Australian Open women’s singles match featuring Ashleigh Barty. Barty defeated USA’s Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals 6-2,6-0. Steve Smith also mentioned what makes the Australian tennis sensation a great player.

“Yeah, she’s playing very well. Her backend slice is outstanding. I think she gets the opposition player where she wants to get them just through the way she plays and she is doing exceptionally well at the moment”, he said.

While the T20 World Cup winner has been released by the Delhi Capitals and it is still unsure which team would be picking him at the upcoming mega auction, the Aussie batting icon has said that he enjoyed playing with senior Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan for the Delhi franchise.

“Playing with Shikhar was great. He’s a lovely guy and a terrific player”, the two-time World Cup winner said.