'Why is he not the captain of the Test team?' - Former India player raises questions after Centurion loss against South Africa

After losing the first Test against South Africa, there have been multiple comments that have come pouring down from various former cricketers as well pundits. Similarly, After India faced an innings loss at Centurion, the former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has raised queries regarding why Virat Kohli is not captaining the Indian Test team despite his impressive track record.

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The former India player highlighted that Virat Kohli, while captaining in Tests, has accumulated over 5000 runs with an average exceeding 52, achieving 40 wins and 17 losses in 68 Tests. It's noteworthy that Kohli led India to a historic Test series triumph in Australia. Drawing a comparison between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Badrinath even emphasized that the former is a superior Test batsman.

The 43-year-old also expressed apprehensions regarding Rohit's inconsistent performance as an opener outside India. Significantly, Rohit Sharma assumed his role as India's Test captain after Virat Kohli stepped down from the position following India's Test tour loss to South Africa.

"Kohli has a great record as a Test leader. He has scored more than 5000 runs with an average of 52-plus as a captain. He has 40 wins and 17 losses in 68 Tests. He led us to a tremendous victory in the Australia series. He has the most wins as Test captain after Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh," Subramaniam Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.

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Why is he not the captain of the Test team?: Badrinath

Badrinath raises inquiries about why Virat Kohli not leading the team, particularly given his superior Test batting skills compared to Rohit Sharma. According to Badrinath, Kohli exhibits greater proficiency in Test cricket than Rohit, and he expresses concerns about Rohit's inconsistent performance as an opener in overseas conditions.

The former CSK player contends that Kohli's extensive experience and established track record in Test cricket should have been taken into account before appointing Sharma as the captain. He questions the decision and advocates a valid explanation for the change in leadership.

"Why is he not the captain of the Test team? I want to raise this valid question. He is a better Test batter. There is no comparison between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He is a big player, in terms of Test cricket. He has scored runs everywhere. Why is he not leading and a weaker player? As far as I am concerned, a weaker player, who is not yet proven as an opener. He has been in and out. We can consider all that. But I think Rohit Sharma has not proven himself as an opener outside India. Why is he there?" Badrinath added.