IND vs BAN 2024: Who will be India's next Vice-Captain? Three Contenders for the Role

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India has announced its squad for the upcoming Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai, notably without naming a vice-captain. The two neighbouring countries will face off in a two-match Test series, with the first game scheduled to begin on September 19.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the team list, which did not include a vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah, who had been serving as Rohit Sharma's deputy in Test cricket, has been relieved of his vice-captaincy duties. Although he remains part of the squad, Bumrah will now play as a regular team member.

The decision to exclude Bumrah from the vice-captaincy role indicates that the BCCI and team management might not see him as a future captain. This could be due to concerns about managing his workload, which has been a topic of discussion recently. But in the due course, team India is likely to name a new vice-captain.

Who will be the next Vice-Captain for India? The Prime Contenders

Several names could be considered for India's next Test vice-captain. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are prominent candidates, while Shubman Gill also emerges as a strong contender.

KL Rahul

Although KL Rahul is also a potential candidate, his inconsistency with the bat could be a concern for selectors. The Indian batter is a fantastic player but he has been in and out of the team in the last months. If KL Rahul can ensure his spot in the team, the Mangalore-born can be a perfect deputy of Rohit Sharma. His understanding, calm demeanour and leadership qualities are quite excellent, making him a potent choice for the role.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant is returning to the Indian Test team after recovering from a severe accident and might reintegrate into the main fold quickly. The southpaw has been a phenomenal performer for India in the longer format, and can be seen as the next captain of the team. If selectors have Pant in their captaincy thoughts, the India wicketkeeper can be thrown into the deputy role for now.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill is another name under consideration since he already holds vice-captaincy roles in limited-overs formats. The young batter has also led Gujarat Titans in IPL and can be in the reckoning for the new role. Gill, just like his fellow contenders, possesses a calm approach and can learn a lot from Rohit Sharma. Also, the game management skill is something that the 25-year-old can further sharpen with his all-format vice-captaincy duty.

IND vs BAN: A Test for the Future Vice-Captain?

The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh can be a rehearsal for the potential candidates. With BCCI selectors not naming any deputy of Rohit Sharma in this series, it can be predicted that they may well be looking into future options in this series itself.