Team India suffered a humiliating 209-run loss against the Pat Cummins-led side in the World Test Championship final 2023. Indian all-format skipper Rohit Sharma failed to lead the Indian team to the ICC title in the 2022 T20 World Cup–and WTC Final in 2023.
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy came under the scanner following India’s defeat against the Baggy Green, as his team selection and his strategy on the team field were also criticized by a few experts, as they failed to read conditions and opponents, though had an advantage of winning the toss in the Ultimate final.
The 36-year-old has been one of the successful white ball captains in India winning five titles with Mumbai Indians, but could not replicate the success with the Indian team. With age not being on his side, Indian selectors and the team management would look to groom the next youngster in the team to take up the mantle for India. Here are five Indian Players who can captain Team India in the Next decade.
1. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is already touted to be the next big thing in Indian cricket and the right-handed opener would be well groomed as the Indian skipper going forward as he can give the role of vice-captain in forthcoming tournaments to develop him as a potential candidate to lead India in the future.
Young Indian opener Shubman Gill has made a name for himself in all three formats of the game, as the youngster has shown the ability to play under different conditions of the game. The 23-year-old has been in the form of his since the start of 2023 scoring hundred in all three formats of the game for India.
He has been in the form of life since the start of the 2023 season, proving to be a vital cog for the Indian team in all three formats and carrying on his form in the IPL 2023. He will crucial for India’s chances in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023.
2. Prithvi Shaw
Indian opener Prithvi Shaw was a brilliant batter for the Indian team in the U-19 World Cup, under Shaw India lifted the 2018 U-19 WC title by beating Australia in the finals in New Zealand. The hard-hitting opener can be seen as the potential Indian skipper for the next decade, having led the team at the junior levels.
Prithvi made his debut in the senior team in the very same year after winning the junior World Cup, he has represented Men in Blue in all formats, but could not keep his place in the team due to high competition for the opener’s spot. If the youngster can find his consistency and form at the highest level, he can be in the race to lead the Indian team in the next decade.
3. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant could be the right man to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s all-format captain shortly as he established himself as an indispensable member of the Indian team in all three formats. The youngster has grown up in the ranks since his debut for the Indian team, especially in the longer format of games scoring centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa making a name for himself in red-ball cricket.
With the age on his side, Rishabh Pant could be the man for the Men in Blue in the future, The hard-hitting left-hander has already led- India during the 2022 T20 Series against South Africa in which the Indian team made a comeback from 2-0 in the first two matches to draw the series 2-2 with the final T20 being washed due to the rain.
4. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Stylish Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has grown up in the ranks in domestic cricket and the cash-rich league. The CSK opener played a pivotal role for his team in their title-winning campaign in the IPL 2023. It is reported that the Indian youngster is also part of the Chennai Super Kings leadership group under MS Dhoni.
with Rohit Sharma being in the last phase of his career, the CSK opener would look to make the opening spot in the Indian team. The 26-year-old has been fantastic for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 season and has also done well for Maharashtra across formats and also can be an option to lead the Indian team in the next decade.
5. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan gives another option to lead the Indian team in the future at least in the white ball format of the game as he brings different variety to the Indian team. He can be a perfect man to lead the team as he brings in a fearless approach going forward in International Cricket. The 24-year-old can also play as the wicket-keeper in the team, as he showed the ability to bat anywhere in the batting order.
The southpaw has done decently well for the Indian team in ODI Cricket and T20 cricket, as he played brilliantly well for the Men in Blue in the limited opportunities and also has the experience of leading the Indian team in the Under-19 World Cup.