Finding potential leadership successors for Rohit Sharma, according to Irfan Pathan, should be one of Team India’s priorities in 2024.
Rohit led India to the ODI World Cup final in 2023 and is now captaining the team in the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa.
There is no word on whether the experienced opener will continue to captain the Men in Blue in white-ball cricket in the future, including the T20 World Cup later this year.
Pathan stated on Star Sports that developing future leaders after Rohit should be one of India’s priorities in 2024
A lot of things might change in 2024. So we won’t have too many issues if we prepare two or three leaders.
The emphasis should also be on the leaders for whom you will prepare. Under Virat Kohli’s guidance, the Indian side played admirably in Test cricket for five years.
The former India all-rounder went on to say:
“They rose to the top of the rankings. His physical condition was excellent. He played well in every game and got the best out of the squad in every game.”
“Rohit Sharma also got his squad to play admirably. We witnessed it at the World Cup, and he won the Asia Cup, but who will take his place after Rohit Sharma?”
Irfan Pathan emphasized that the Indian think tank has to develop leaders who can play cricket all year. He also stated that fitness, which is required of young players, should be prioritized.
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You could feel Mohammed Shami’s absence – Irfan Pathan believes India must develop a strong fast-bowling team
Irfan Pathan feels that training fast-bowling backups would be another priority for the Indian squad. He reasoned as follows:
“I believe the Indian team should build a strong fast-bowling unit for 2024. We witnessed what occurred in South Africa.
We didn’t have many completely prepared backups for quick bowlers. It’s not that they lack talent, but they weren’t prepared, and you could feel Mohammed Shami’s absence.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that if Jasprit Bumrah is declared hors de battle, the Indian squad will be in big danger. He stated:
“It implies that if something happens to Jasprit Bumrah, who has already been hurt as a result of his actions, we will look left and right for great bowlers.”
Pathan went on to say that seven to eight fast bowlers must be prepared, whether through a talent hunt or by focusing heavily on the Ranji Trophy.
While noting that the Indian Premier League aids in talent identification and that the BCCI collaborates closely with the NCA behind the scenes, he argued that having a bunch of seamers ready should be the primary priority.
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