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Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin believes Rohit Sharma is the best player in the country across all formats and there is no harm in making the Mumbai batter captain of the Test team. The statement by Azharurddin comes after Virat Kohli stepped down as Test captain last following India's Test series defeat in South Africa.
"If he is your no.1 player in all formats, then what is the problem?" the 58-year-old said while speaking to India News.
Rohit Sharma was made the T20I captain as Kohli resigned from the role after the culmination of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Later on, BCCI named Rohit the ODI skipper as well after sacking Kohli.
When asked if the selectors should look for a player who can lead the team for the next 5-6 years, the Hyderabad-born batter said, "I feel seeing 5-6 years ahead is a long time. You should definitely look forward but need to see immediate as well. Just to look forward, you cannot give to an inexperienced player, which might cause a problem."
Azhar also spoke about Sharma’s fitness and his consistent struggle with his hamstring which ruled him out of South Africa tour.
"I feel Rohit Sharma is a good player and can be a very good captain. He might play cricket for another two or three years, he might play more as well but his fitness will be very important because his hamstring becomes weak repeatedly," Azharuddin said.
The former skipper also commented that Sharma’s absence will give advantage to South Africa in the upcoming ODI series.
“His absence in this series also became an advantage for South Africa because he is an attacking player, plays in an attacking fashion as an opener as well. Whatever experience I have and whatever cricket I have played, I feel the captaincy should be given to Rohit only,” he further added.
Sharma has led Mumbai Indians to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles and one Champions league title. The 34-year-old also led India to Asia Cup title in 2018. Out of the side due to injury, Sharma is likely to back for the home series against West Indies in February.
India will play South Africa in a three-match ODI series beginning on Wednesday, January 19 at Boland Park, Paarl. KL Rahul will lead the men in blue in Rohit's absence.
