Credits: BCCI/X
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has been critical when asked about the potential vice-captain of the Indian cricket team in Test cricket. Manjrekar also pointed out young batter Shubman Gill as he feels that the 25-year-old isn’t ready to take over the role and India should make a playing XI based on merit. Notably, Gill didn’t have a great outing in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he could only score 93 runs in five innings.
Shubman Gill has been inconsistent with the bat in the last few months across all formats of the game. He also made his captaincy debut for India this year and led India to 4-1 win in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in July. Along with that, Gill was also appointed as Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the ODI series in Sri Lanka. Taking about whether he should become vice captain in Test cricket, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the vice captain of the team should be picked on merits.
Vice-captain should walk into the team based on his own performances: Sanjay Manjrekar
India’s next Test assignment will come in June as they will travel to England for a five-match Test series. Notably, Rohit Sharma is likely to return as skipper in the longest format. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah, led India in the first and fifth Test can be seen as a vice captain for the England series.
“I have no idea. But I know who shouldn't be, and I won't say it. There are some obvious guys you wouldn't want. The first thing you want the vice-captain should walk into the team based on his own performances. For the moment, you are focusing on the England series, and you are expecting Bumrah to be fit, and he becomes your captain,” Sanjay Manjrekar was quoted as saying by Crictracker.
“There was some talk about Shubman Gill being there in Australia as the vice-captain, and look what happened. Bumrah, thankfully, was made the captain, with Rohit Sharma missing the first Test. Look where Gill's career is right now. The first thing you should make the team on merit," Manjrekar further said.
