Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has named the ideal successor of outgoing Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the shortest format after Team India’s exit from the ICC World T20 2021. Team India’s nine-wicket win over Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 marked the end of an era for Kohli and Ravi Shastri as the highly eventful tenures of the Indian skipper and head coach came to an end on Monday.

While Indian skipper Kohli has stepped down as the T20I captain of the Team India side, outgoing head coach Shastri has been replaced by legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid. At a time when the Indian opener is heavily tipped to take over the captaincy job from outgoing T20I skipper Kohli, batting legend and former India captain Gavaskar has also backed Rohit to lead the former world champions in the shortest format. 

Gavaskar pointed out that the next T20 World Cup will take place next year and there is no need to seek a ‘look long term’ replacement for former T20I skipper Kohli. Speaking to India Today after Kohli stepped down as India’s captain in the shortest format, Gavaskar explained why Rohit should be appointed as the leader of the Men In Blue. 

“Long term is in case the next World Cup is maybe 2 years away or 3 years away. Next World Cup is just 10-12 months away. You don’t have to really look long term now,” Gavaskar said. Under Kohli’s leadership, India have failed to win a single ICC trophy across all formats. In Kohli’s final tournament as T20I captain, India crashed out of the ICC World T20 2021 in the Super12s phase. 

“Right now, you have to look for the best man who can take India to an ICC trophy. And that is Rohit Sharma with his record for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, he is an obvious choice. I think he should be given the captaincy and maybe after next year’s World Cup in Australia, maybe have a look at another T20 captain. But right, now it’s only Rohit Sharma,” he added.