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New Delhi: Opener KL Rahul has been named as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the three-Test series against South Africa starting December 26, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Saturday.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma was made Virat Kohli’s deputy for the series but was ruled out due to a recurring left hamstring injury.
The 29-year-old has played 40 Tests so far and scored 2321 runs at an average of 35.16, with six centuries under his belt. Importantly, he is seen as a long-term potential leader.
“The All India Senior Selection Committee has named KL Rahul as the vice-captain for the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. KL Rahul replaced Rohit Sharma as the vice-captain, who was ruled out of the Test series due to a hamstring injury,” Shah said in a statement.
PTI had reported on December 13 that Rahul was the front-runner for the vice-captaincy.
Rohit, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane as 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.
For the selectors, it was difficult to go back to Rahane, who is no longer a surety in the Test XI, and possibly, it would be too early to promote Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain of the national team.
Rahul, at present, is seen as one of the few 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 hold office for a long time.
It is also expected that Rahul will be the white-ball deputy for Rohit in the coming days. His name is also in discussion for the captaincy of the new IPL Lucknow franchise.
Read also: How Ganguly’s abhorrent treatment of Kohli by BCCI takes Indian cricket to a shameful past
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