Flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to be India’s new vice-captain in Tests.
The choice of vice-captain seems to be a straight forward one as Pant is one of India’s best Test batters in overseas conditions and Jasprit Bumrah can’t be considered for the role of deputy due to his stature. In addition, Bumrah’s workload is a concern, making him uncertain for full series.
An average of 42 plus with hundreds in Australia, England and South Africa along with seven scores between 90 and 99 makes Pant of the best batters in the format.
“If Bumrah isn’t the captain, then there is no point offering him vice-captaincy,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Sportstar had earlier reported that Shubman Gill was the front-runner to take over Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format.
The Indian team for the tour of England will be announced during the end of third week of May while India A team will be announced early next week.