‘Virat Kohli is doing a fantastic job as captain; no need to replace him with Rohit Sharma: VVS Laxman

‘Virat Kohli is doing a fantastic job as captain; no need to replace him with Rohit Sharma: VVS Laxman
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman opened up on the long-going captaincy debate for the national side. Laxman reckoned that the current skipper Virat Kohli is doing a phenomenal job, and there’s no need to replace him with Rohit Sharma. 

The Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor admitted that Rohit Sharma is also a wonderful captain. He stated that Sharma analyses the situations well and has done well as skipper of the most successful IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.  

“No doubt, he is a wonderful captain. Whenever he led in Virat’s absence he has been successful,” said Laxman at a virtual launch book launch, reported TOI. 

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“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.”

Rohit reminds me of my career: Laxman

VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman

The Indian Test veteran expressed how Rohit Sharma reminded him of his career. He mentioned that the 33-year old has enough talent to taste success in the longer format just like he did in the limited-overs cricket. 

“His career reminded me of my career, asked to shift in the batting order. Not easy to open against quality fast bowlers without having opened earlier. He can put pressure on the bowlers once he gets his eye in,” he said.

“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 a lot of time against the fast bowlers but struggled against the spinners. A year later, I saw him so improved, and he was clearing the boundary with such ease at No. 6. I knew he could do something special. We struggle to get a double hundred in Test cricket, and he has done it three times in One-day cricket.”

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