India's selection committee Ex-Chairman Vengsarkar backs Rohit, Ashwin as stop-gap captain

After the resignation of Virat Kohli as the captain of the Indian test team, the search for his successor has intensified and speculations are rife about the new captain.

Meanwhile, the former chairman of India's selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar has suggested that Rohit Sharma or Ravi Ashwin can be appointed a new chairman till the time a full-time captain is being groomed.

Talking to Gulf News, he said, “If you ask me, it may be a practical idea to have a stop-gap arrangement with Rohit Sharma or even Ravi Ashwin for a year or so and groom someone in the meanwhile", said the former India cricketer.”

“Interestingly, my committee was faced with a similar situation when Rahul Dravid stepped down from captaincy and we had a demanding Australia tour around the corner. Some felt that MS Dhoni, who was leading in the shorter format, be promoted but we went ahead with Anil Kumble who did a fantastic job", he added.

Vengsarkar says that Kohli has had a dream run for nearly five years as a batsman and captain.

“For all the talk about his current lean phase, I feel that Indians are often obsessed with statistics and that's something that I don't believe in", Vengsarkar said.

"Yes, it's true that he hasn't got a century over the last few years but the way he applied himself, adapted to the movement and bounce of the ball on the South African wickets was exemplary. At Newlands, the way he held himself back and built the innings after the fall of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to score 79 off 160-odd balls, every run continued on those wickets. His commitment and intent were fantastic", he added.