Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has said that there is no need for Rohit Sharma to replace Virat Kohli as captain of the Indian team for limited overs cricket. Laxman said this during the virtual release of the book The Hitman: The Rohit Sharma Story by Vijayi Lokpalli and G. Krishnan.
“There is no doubt that Rohit is a great captain,” Laxman said. He has been very successful in Virat’s absence. It is not easy for Mumbai Indians to win five times. The way he has built the team and handled the team in difficult situations is superb. He has all the qualities of a successful captain for India. But change is not needed here. Virat has had unprecedented success and is performing superbly. I don’t feel the need to make any changes.
“Rohit has had a stop-start career in Test cricket. His career reminds me of my career,” Laxman said. It is not easy to open against quality bowlers without opening. Once his eyes are frozen he can put pressure on the bowlers. I know he has the ability to do something different. In Test cricket, we struggle to make a second century and he has scored three centuries in ODI cricket.
Former India captain Anil Kumble was also present at the book launch. He said that Rohit would be ready to handle the team’s run when the time came. He was very reassured when we asked him to captain the Mumbai Indians. It has come to him naturally. He is ready for all the challenges. We have a good option. We are lucky to have Rohit, who has been very successful in the IPL. When the time comes and the need arises I am confident he will be ready. Kumble has been part of the coaching staff of the Mumbai Indians.
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