Shoaib Akhtar enters Team India captaincy debate, suggests Aus tour best chance for Rohit

Entering Team India's split-captaincy debate, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has suggested that Australia tour might be best chance for Rohit Sharma to grab captaincy. Pakistani speedster reasoned that current India skipper, Virat Kohli, might be 'fatigued' as he has been playing continuously since 2010 and suggested that Bangalore skipper also seemed 'bored' during IPL 2020. Akhtar stated that world would be looking at Rohit Sharma as captain and batsman when he faces Australia in December. 

"From what I kw Virat is very keen to take team forward. It all depends on how fatigued he is feeling. He has been playing n-stop since 2010, has got 70 centuries and a mountain of runs under his belt. If he is feeling fatigued, n he should think about giving leadership role to Rohit in one of formats (preferably T20s)," PTI quoted Shoaib Akhtar. 

"I could see boredom on his (Virat Kohli face during IPL, maybe it was because of bio-bubble situation, he seemed a bit stressed out. It all depends on how he feels. Rohit has been ready for captaincy for a while," Akhtar added. 

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former Pakistani cricketer also heaped praise on Rohit Sharma and added that swashbuckling opener has ability and talent to lead team. While Rohit Sharma has been rested for limited-overs series against Australia owing to an injury, he has been named in Test squad as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who is set to return to India after first Test for birth of his first child. However, BCCI has t yet clarified on who will be leading side in Tests in absence of Kohli. 

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Akhtar on India's chances vs Aus

Backing India to win Border Gavaskar Trophy despite return of David Warner and Steve Smith, Akhtar said, "In my opinion, India have ability to win again. But if ir middle order doesn't perform, I see m struggling. People will be watching this series with great interest including myself. day-night Test will be ir toughest test. If India play well in those conditions, n you never kw. first two innings of first Test will tell us where series is headed." 

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split-captaincy debate was ignited recently after Rohit Sharma lifted IPL 2020 trophy for fifth time. As Mumbai opener went on to become most successful IPL captain, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir remarked that it will be Indian team's loss if Sharma is t appointed as captain in white-ball cricket.

Echoing similar views, former England skipper Nasser Hussain too rooted for Rohit Sharma to take over captaincy in limited-overs cricket. Hussain suggested that it might be time for Virat Kohli to step down as captain in limited-overs cricket and hand over leadership role to his deputy - Rohit Sharma. Hussain backed his choice with Rohit Sharma's success as an IPL captain and also reasoned that his 'captaincy, calm, cool and right decisions' make him perfect contender. 

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Rohit Sharma's record as India captain

Sharma has also led Men in Blue in limited-overs cricket whenever Virat Kohli has been absent. India has won 8 of 10 ODIs under his leadership including a win in Asia Cup in Dubai in 2018. In T20s, Rohit has a far better record as captain having won 15 of 19 matches in which he has led. se include victories in Nihadas tri-series in Sri Lanka in 2018 and a 3-0 series sweep against West Indies at home in 2018.