With Shubman Gill still racing against time to recover from a neck injury, India might be compelled to consider an alternative leader for the three-match ODI series starting in South Africa. Gill missed majority of the first Test due to discomfort and has not regained full match readiness with the management keen to avoid any risk ahead of a busy international calendar.
In this context, Rishabh Pant has emerged as a strong contender for captaincy. Sources within the team suggest Pant has been told to remain “mentally prepared” for leadership, an indication that the team management has begun trusting his on-field judgment as much as his influence in the dressing room. Pant is returning well to top cricket, and the management believes he can also bring value with added responsibility, what with the cycle for the ODI World Cup also starting to shape up.
That becomes all the more complicated with the absence of vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, too, because of injury issues. This Makes KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, Two Natural choices to be the captain but with age being on Rishabh’s side makes him viable option to lead the side keeping an eye on the future as well.
