They will not go back to Rohit Sharma

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested a replacement for Shubman Gill as captain for the upcoming home ODI series against South Africa. Gill sustained a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata and had to be taken to the hospital. While he has been discharged, he is likely to miss the second Test and potentially the ODI series as well.

In light of this situation, Mohammad Kaif believes that KL Rahul could be named as the captain for the ODI series. He ruled out the possibility of former skipper Rohit Sharma returning as captain. Additionally, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is also sidelined due to injury, adding to the leadership crisis in the team.

“They will not go back to Rohit Sharma. That is done. He will deny it himself. I feel KL Rahul is an option. He has captained before and has experience as well. I feel he will lead the side in the ODI series,” Kaif mentioned on his YouTube channel.

India is scheduled to host South Africa for a three-match ODI series, with the first match set to take place on Sunday, November 30, in Ranchi. The second game will be held in Raipur on December 3, followed by the final ODI in Visakhapatnam on December 6.

Furthermore, with Shubman Gill unlikely to feature in the second Test, Mohammad Kaif has backed left-hander Sai Sudharsan to make a return to the team. Sudharsan had played the last Test against the West Indies but was dropped for the opening game against South Africa.

Kaif highlighted Sudharsan’s performance in the Delhi Test, where he scored 126 runs across both innings at number three. He suggested that Sudharsan should reclaim his original position in the team, with Washington Sundar moving down the order.

Reflecting on the decision to promote Sundar to number three in the absence of Gill, Kaif mentioned the team’s preference for all-rounders and left-handers. However, he emphasized the importance of specialist batters in the lineup for better performance on challenging tracks.

Kaif also pointed out the lack of fixed plans in the team, with frequent changes in batting positions and the playing XI. He stressed the need for resolving uncertainties within the team to ensure a cohesive and effective strategy.

In conclusion, Mohammad Kaif’s insights provide valuable perspective on the leadership and batting options for the Indian team in the upcoming series against South Africa. As the team navigates injuries and uncertainties, strategic decisions will be crucial for their success on the field.