Mumbai: Opener KL Rahul is all set to take over as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the three-Test series against South Africa from December 26. BCCI sources confirmed this on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma was made Virat Kohli’s deputy for the series but was ruled out due to repeated left hamstring injuries.
The 29-year-old has played 40 Tests so far and scored 2321 runs at an average of 35.16, including six centuries. Importantly, he is seen as a long-term potential leader in the days to come.
A senior BCCI official confirmed, “KL Rahul is going to be Virat Kohli’s deputy for the three-Test series.”
PTI had reported on December 13 that Rahul was the front-runner for the vice-captaincy.
Rohit, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the vice-captain for the Test series, suffered a left hamstring injury during a net session in Mumbai that ruled him out for at least three to four weeks.
It was difficult for the selectors to go back to Rahane, who is no longer a definite in Test XI and it would probably be too early to promote Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain of the national team.
Rahul is currently seen as one of the all-format specialist batsmen.
Rahul has the right age and experience to be ready for the future when Kohli relinquishes the Test leadership. He can stay in the office for a long time.
It is also expected that Rahul will be a white-ball deputy to Rohit in the coming days. His name is also doing round to be the leader of new IPL Lucknow.
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