‘Mindset ki tu toh baat kar hi mat’ - Fans react as former selector MSK Prasad asks for Virat Kohli’s return as Team India’s Test skipper

India have been one of the most consistent teams in the red-ball format for the last five to six years. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, Men in Blue managed to remain at the top of the rankings for many years. In both editions of the World Test Championship (WTC), India played the final but unfortunately, lost both times. 

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Now, their new WTC cycle will start with a two-match Test series in West Indies, from 12 July 2023. However, many questions have been raised over Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in Tests after the recent WTC loss. Regarding that, the former Team India selector, MSK Prasad came up with a unique demand for Virat Kohli’s return as the Test skipper.

“When Ajinkya Rahane can come back and become the vice-captain, then why not Virat Kohli?” - MSK Prasad

Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback in Tests in the WTC final. Then, he has been named the vice-captain for this upcoming West Indies series. So, he pointed out that if he can be the vice-captain after a recent comeback, then Virat Kohli should be considered as the captain in the format. During an exclusive chat with Khel Now, he was asked about the right approach for selectors for the next cycle along with the future of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in the Test format.

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He said: “I don’t know if I can answer this question. I don’t know the mindset of the selectors. Usually the mindset of the selectors should be now with the WTC cycle it should be a clear cycle, that’s how the mindset should be. Why not Virat Kohli? When Ajinkya Rahane can come back and become the vice-captain, then why not Virat Kohli? I don’t know what the mindset of Virat is on captaincy. In case selectors are thinking beyond Rohit, I don’t know whether they are thinking but if they are thinking beyond Rohit, then I think Virat can also be an option”. 

Speaking about Virat Kohli’s captaincy record in Tests, India were at the top of the rankings for 42 consecutive months from October 2016 through to March 2020. He also led India in 68 matches, which is the most by any captain in the longest format of the game. He also won 40 games out of those, which is also the most number of wins by a Test captain of team India.

Here is how fans have reacted:

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Mindset ki tu toh baat kar hi mat gawar

— Raina forever (@Sportsanhum) July 10, 2023

Comeback Virat

— Devender गुर्जर (@Devendergurja) July 10, 2023

He is right. There is no one better than virat to handle test captaincy at present!!

— Ashu (@sic_mundus__) July 10, 2023

but sadly my idolo won't accept it.

— Yash. (@yashhverse) July 10, 2023

Virat Kohli was the best test captain after Sourav Ganguly. He gave confidence to the faster bowlers, gave them opportunities, and built a team. Whereas Dhoni was the worst test captain.

— Ratnakar Yadav (@thebeliever84) July 10, 2023

Solution for me is Virat to captain in Test cricket till the end of the WTC cycle. Rohit to captain in ODIs and Hardik in T20 cricket. Select a young cricketer in each of these formats to be the deputy.

— Manoj Mathew (@theManojMathew) July 10, 2023

Where is he??

Bring MSK back

— G` (@TheRGautam18) July 10, 2023

bring this goat selector back

— ISHN (@Deshdrohit) July 10, 2023

Virat Kohli's got that 🐐 in him.

— Dr Nikhil Jain | SEBI RA (@iamMarketWiz) July 10, 2023