Rohit Sharma deserves to be India’s next T20 captain: Dilip Vengsarkar

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes Rohit Sharma deserves to be the team’s next T20 captain. Rohit is expected to take over the captaincy bridle from Virat Kohli, who has decided to relinquish his leadership duties after the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Rohit has an impeccable T20 record as a captain and he is known for leading from the front. Rohit has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles and he is regarded as the most successful T20 captain along with MS Dhoni. Furthermore, Rohit has led India to titles in Asia Cup as well as Nidahas Trophy.

Rohit has also delivered when he has led in the absence of Virat Kohli. Meanwhile, Kohli has decided to give up the captaincy duties as he wants to concentrate more on his batting. Kohli will continue to lead India in 50-overs and the Test format.

“Rohit deserves to be India’s next T20 captain because he’s done exceptionally well whenever he’s been given an opportunity. In 2018, India won the Asia Cup under his captaincy. Besides that, he’s been an exceptional captain for the Mumbai Indians,” Vengsarkar was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Vengsarkar added that Kohli’s decision to quit T20 captaincy was always on the cards as the pressure was getting to him. Kohli took over the Test captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 and then he was handed over the limited-overs leadership in 2017.

“I was expecting it. He’s been leading India and has been the No 1 batsman in all formats for almost eight years. He’s been under tremendous pressure to perform because we expect a lot from him every time he goes into bat. The timing of his decision has been perfect. The only thing I hope now is he wins the World Cup and signs off as an India T20 captain on a high. It could be his last hurrah as T20I captain,” Vengsarkar said.

Vengsakar added that Kohli hasn’t done a great job as a T20 captain. Kohli could not take RCB to any IPL title despite leading for nine long years.

“Besides that, he’s not done exceptionally well in the T20 format as captain. Even in the IPL, he hasn’t led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a single tournament win. That must’ve played on his mind too,” he added.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on 24th October.