Newly-appointed assistant coach Abhishek Nayar says Team India does not require a full-time vice-captain for Test cricket. According to him, there is learning going on much more rapidly than before-mainly because of the Indian Premier League and the availability of experienced men in the team.

No Test Vice Captain For Team India

The country’s Test future with Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill looks bright as they are youngsters who have led IPL franchises. Not naming a vice-captain for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh is a strategy that would not name a deputy for Rohit Sharma as long as he leads the Test team. This year, Jasprit Bumrah had been Rohit’s deputy in a five-match Test series against England at home. Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain of the limited-overs formats, ODI and T20I, after June’s T20 World Cup.

“I think we need to understand that we have got a lot of IPL captains in this team. When you talk about the likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, hopefully a Yashasvi going forward. There are a lot of players who have led their franchises,” Abhishek Nayar told the media on the eve of the 2nd Test in Kanpur.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have developed as strong players and their contribution has been extremely crucial.

Youngsters Have Leadership Qualities

“I wouldn’t look at them as youngsters any more. Yes, they are youngsters in terms of age and the amount of cricket they have played. But, I think overall, mentally and in their development as a cricketer, I think they have the leadership qualities that are required. You don’t need to have a vice-captain that should be designated.

“I think overall, the thought process of these youngsters if of a senior player. It’s of someone who has played a lot of cricket. With the likes of Virat, Rohit in the dressing room, it speedens that process where you are learning a lot faster on the go. I feel our future and all the youngsters are in great hands,” he added.

Jasprit Bumrah In Contention To Become The Test Captain

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the strongest candidates to be the next Test captain for India. The fast bowler had taken over during a Test game in England when Rohit Sharma was sidelined due to injury. Although Rishabh Pant has led India in limited-over cricket, team management is not keen on burdening him with the title of captaincy as he is still trying to regain his form after an extended injury layoff. Shubman Gill is also believed to be captaincy material, having already held vice-captaincy in limited-overs cricket.

Abhishek Nayar retorts – without revealing much about his views on the combination for the Test matches – that the Kanpur’s Green Park pitch would be a proper test for both batters and bowlers.

For now, India enjoys an upper hand in the two-match Test series by getting ahead 1-0 into the last match that will start from Friday, September 27.