The future of India's T20 captaincy seems secure with Hardik Pandya as the obvious choice. If all goes well, he will probably be handed the captaincy duties in ODIs as well.
However, when it comes to Test cricket, the question remains: Who will be the next skipper after Rohit Sharma?
As Rohit approaches the later stages of his career at the age of 36, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will need to explore other options for the captaincy in the longer format.
Let's consider some potential candidates for Rohit's successor:
Shubman Gill - Age 23
Shubman Gill has already made his mark across all three formats of the game and is here to stay. Often seen as the successor to Virat Kohli, he possesses a similar temperament and aggression. While the BCCI may currently focus on Gill's batting prowess, he could be groomed as a potential captain under Rohit's guidance in the coming years.
Shreyas Iyer - Age 28
Shreyas Iyer has had a memorable debut in the longest format and impressed one and all with the bat whenever he face the red ball. However, his career has been hindered by injuries, and he is currently undergoing rehabilitation. It remains to be seen when he will make his comeback.
Rishabh Pant - Age 25
Rishabh Pant, despite his injury setback, has emerged as a probable candidate for captaincy. The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman has been a game-changer for Team India and has the ability to turn the tide of a match. If not for his recent car crash, Pant might have already been considered for a leadership role.
Jasprit Bumrah - Age 29
Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of India's pace attack, has been sidelined due to injury. However, his return to cricket is anticipated in the near future, and the BCCI is likely to consider him for the captaincy once he regains full fitness. Bumrah previously led the team in the crucial 5th Test against England, impressing with his leadership skills despite the team's loss.
While age is not a problem for all 4 potential candidates, we will have to wait & see who gets the mantle to lead Team India next in Test cricket.