VVS Laxman said Virat Kohli should remain the limited-overs captain of India despite Rohit Sharma’s name coming to the front

Many people have suggested that Rohit Sharma is better suited to lead the Indian cricket team in limited-overs than current skipper, Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma has lead by example whenever he has got the chance and in T20 level he is one of the best captains having lead Mumbai Indians to 5 IPL titles.

Indian legend VVS Laxman attended a virtual launch of `The Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story`, written by Vijay Lokapally and G. Krishnan. He said: “No doubt he is a wonderful captain. Whenever he led in Virat`s absence he has been successful,”

“Leading a franchise to five titles is not easy. The way he has built the team (Mumbai Indians) and handles tough situations has been superb. He has all the qualities to be a successful captain for India but you don`t have to necessarily look for a change. Virat has had phenomenal success and is doing a fantastic job. I don`t see any requirement to make a change.”

Laxman further added that Rohit has had a “stop-start career” in Test cricket. He said: “His career reminded me of my career, asked to shift in the batting order. Not easy to open against quality fast overs without having opened earlier. He can put pressure on the bowlers once he gets his eye in. But he has been bogged by injuries. He is talented enough to succeed as a Test match player. The first time I saw him was in 2005 in the KSCA tournament. He had lot of time against the fast bowlers, but struggling against the spinners.”

“A year later I saw him so improved and he was clearing the boundary with such ease at No 6, change the momentum of the game. I knew he had the ability to do something special. We struggle to get a double hundred in Test cricket and he has done it three times in One Day cricket.”

Another Indian legend Anil Kumble was also part of the book launch. He has also been a part of the Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff so he knows Rohit Sharma from a close range.

Kumble feels Rohit would be ready to take over the reins when the time comes. He said: “[He was] extremely confident when we gave him the captaincy offer at Mumbai Indians. It came naturally to him.”

“He is ready for the challenge. Good, we are discussing that we have the option of a second guy. We are lucky we have Rohit who has been successful [in the IPL]. When the time comes and the need I am sure he will be ready.”

Rohit Sharma is currently nursing an injury and is absent from the Indian team touring Australia. Although he has been named in the Test squad, it remains to be seen whether he can be fit in time.