Former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir has taken a dig at Virat Kohli, saying the incumbent skipper is able to lead Team India efficiently because he has the likes of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in his side.
“Kohli was very good in the last World Cup but he has a long way to go. He captains so well in international cricket because he has got Rohit Sharma, he had MS Dhoni for a long time,” Gambhir told reporters during an event on Thursday.
“Captaincy credentials are noticed when you are leading a franchise, when you do not have other players supporting you,” he added.
Kohli, who is India’s batting mainstay in all three international formats, is counted among one of the most successful captains to have led the national team. However, his captaincy record in the Indian Premier League (IPL) hasn’t been quite impressive. And he has not been able to win the coveted trophy for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at least once.
“I have been honest whenever I have spoken about this. See what Rohit Sharma has achieved for Mumbai Indians, see what Dhoni has achieved for Chennai Super Kings. If you compare that with RCB, the results are there for everyone to see”, said Gambhir.
The 37-year-old Delhi lad has also backed Kohli’s limited-overs deputy Rohit Sharma to open in Tests.
“I think KL Rahul has been given a longer run. It is time for Rohit Sharma to open the batting in Test cricket,” said Gambhir.
“If you pick him in the squad, he has to be a part of the playing XI. If he does not fit your playing XI, no point in picking him in the squad of 15 or 16. He is too good a player to be sitting on the bench,” he added.
The selectors have dropped KL Rahul for the upcoming Test series against South Africa and will have Rohit to open the innings in the three-match rubber beginning from October 2.
