Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to be named as the vice-captain of the One-Day International team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy next month.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to name Virat Kohli’s deputy but Deccan Chronicle has reported that Rohit, who recently led Mumbai Indians to a record third Indian Premier League title, will fulfil that role in an unofficial capacity.
Rohit has been garnering praise from all over for his exceptional captaincy throughout the tournament especially in the final when his side managed to defeat Rising Pune Supergiant by one run even after scoring just 129.
And now the selectors are looking to pin their hopes on him by making him the vice-captain of the team. A BCCI source has said that the selectors have already zeroed into the name who will become Kohli’s deputy but will reveal it only in case of an emergency.
“The selectors have not announced the name of the vice-captain. However, among themselves, they have already chosen one, but will be announced only if required in an emergency,” the source placed highly within the BCCI was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.
Earlier, Rohit had said he would seriously consider becoming India’s T20 skipper if the opportunity arrived.
“That’s thinking too far ahead. I don’t think too far ahead. When the opportunity comes, it comes. I will grab it with both hands,” he had said while replying to a question over the captaincy after becoming the most successful skipper in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Meanwhile, chief selector MSK Prasad and Devang Gandhi will also accompany Team India in England during the Champions Trophy. However, the third selector Sarandeep Singh will remain in India.
The source further said that the selectors always pick up reserve players in addition to the main squad but never reveal them like they did it for the Champions Trophy where they announced a 5-man list along with the 15-man squad. The five players were Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Suresh Raina.
Karthik, meanwhile, has been included in the main squad to replace an injured Manish Pandey.
“They always pick the reserve bench but the names are not announced. This time the BCCI directed them to announce the names,” the source said.
The Champions Trophy will start from June 1 while the Men in Blue will start their campaign on June 4 against Pakistan.