Rohit Sharma is a great leader: Kevin Pietersen backs India limited-overs skipper to take over as Test captain

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has backed ‘great leader’ Rohit Sharma to take over as India Test captain while suggesting that “harsh” bio-bubble life could be one of the reasons for Virat Kohli quitting the captaincy.

Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world when he announced his decision to quit the Test captaincy. It came a day after India lost a 3-match Test series to South Africa in South Africa. Kohli brought an end to his 8-year tenure as Test captain during which he emerged as India’s most successful skipper in the longest format of the game.

Rohit Sharma was recently appointed as the vice-captain of India’s Test team but he was not part of the recently-concluded 3-match series in South Africa. Rohit took over after Ajinkya Rahane was sacked from the role over a dip in form.

Pietersen said that Rohit makes fabulous decisions as a captain and his record with Mumbai Indians speaks volumes about that. Rohit is the designated Test vice-captain and by natural progression, if all goes well and he is fit, Rohit Sharma will be leading India in Test cricket.

“You (India) are so lucky that you have so many options for the captain. I will probably stick with Rohit Sharma. He is a great leader, I love the authority he commands. He makes fabulous decisions and we’ve seen them with Mumbai Indians, he has won so many titles with them. More importantly, I am really looking forward to how Rahul Dravid is with that team – can he do it with the youngsters, can he do it with the big guys,” Kevin Pietersen told India Today.

Pietersen said he was not surprised when Kohli quit the captaincy of all formats.

“Virat is an entertainer and for any athlete, it is very difficult to live in these bio bubbles. It does not just take a toll on the players but their families too. Something had to burst and the bubbles have to burst sometime or another. Virat is an entertainer and these bubbles may have taken a couple of years away from Virat’s career. As a player, if you give me no crowd it is very difficult to play. So I am not shocked (at Virat’s decision) When the crowds do come back, you watch Virat Kohli go again,” Pietersen added.