The national selectors have kept the door open for Rohit Sharma to lead in the T20 World Cup in June though the Team India captain, along with Virat Kohli, decided to take a break for the white-ball leg in South Africa.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday came out in support of Rohit, saying he should lead India at least till the showpiece event in the Caribbean and the US.
Sourav said the duo deserved rest so they come back “fresh” for the hectic calendar ahead.
“Once Rohit is back playing all formats, he should be the captain of India, because he has done so well in the World Cup,” said the former BCCI president.
“You saw in the World Cup how well they (Rohit and Kohli) played. They are absolutely integral and an important part of the team.”
Both Rohit and Kohli haven’t played a T20I since the semi-finals against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Hardik Pandya had been leading the T20 side but his injury during the ODI World Cup has forced Suryakumar Yadav to take up the mantle in the ongoing T20 series against Australia.
“World Cups are different than a bilateral series because the pressures are different. They have been exceptional this World Cup and hopefully, six-seven months down the line in the West Indies they will be again at their best,” Sourav said.
“He’s (Rohit) a leader. I expect and I presume that he will continue as captain till the T20 World Cup in 2024.”
The senior duo will be back for the two-Test series in South Africa beginning with the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.
“Very rightfully, they have taken a break because there is so much cricket all the time. I cannot imagine that you played a World Cup final on the 19th and in three days’ time you’re playing a T20I series against the same team.
“It is not easy to pick yourselves up, especially with the pressures and demands of the World Cup. I’m happy that they have got a break.
“They will come back fresh for Tests... there are five Tests against England, there’s IPL, and then the T20 World Cup, so it’s non-stop cricket. Hopefully, they’ll keep performing.”
Sourav also was happy that Rahul Dravid would continue as head coach.
“I’m not surprised that they have shown faith in Dravid. When I was president of the Board, we convinced him to do this job. And I’m so happy to see yesterday that his tenure has been extended,” Sourav remarked.