Rohit Sharma appointed India Test captain

The 34-year-old, who was appointed India's white-ball captain in December 2021, replaces Virat Kohli, who stepped down following his side's defeat against South Africa in January

Rohit Sharma has been named as the next captain of India's Test side.

The 34-year-old, who took over as white-ball captain in December 2021, replaces Virat Kohli, who stepped down from the position following India’s 2-1 defeat against South Africa in January.

Kohli served as India’s red-ball captain for seven years, winning 40 of his 68 Tests at the helm and leading his side to the inaugural World Test Championship final last June.

Sharma will take charge for the first time in India’s upcoming two-match home series against Sri Lanka in March. The first Test is scheduled to begin on March 4 in Mohali before the series moves to Bangalore for the second Test on March 12.

The top-order batter, who has scored 3,407 runs at 46.87 in 43 Tests, returns to the side after missing the South Africa series due to a hamstring injury.

^{Virat Kohli (right) stepped down following India's defeat against South Africa in January [Ashley Vlotman/Getty Images]}

Jasprit Bumrah has been installed as Sharma’s vice-captain for the series while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have also been earmarked by the BCCI as part of the leadership group.

Rahul, who captained India in Kohli’s absence in the second Test against South Africa, will not, however, face Sri Lanka due to injury.  

Commenting on India’s captaincy selection and Sharma’s injury record, Chetan Sharma, chairman of India’s selection committee, said: "Rohit is the No.1 cricketer of our country. He plays all three formats.

"Most important is, how we manage Rohit. These days all cricketers are professionals. They know their body, they manage it well. Now there is no problem at all.

"Time to time we will stay in talks with him [regarding fitness and rest]. If such a big cricketer becomes captain, automatically we, as a selection committee, feel we can groom future captains under him."

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