No one can beat him in the race of Test captaincy: Kevin Pietersen picks India’s next leader

Muscat: Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world when he announced his decision to quit the Test captaincy. It came a day after India lost a 3-match Test series to South Africa in South Africa. Kohli brought an end to his 7 year tenure as Test captain during which he emerged as India’s most successful skipper in the longest format of the game. Earlier he was sacked as the ODI captain in December. Rohit Sharma was appointed as the captain of ODI and T20I format.

Following Kohli’s announcement, who will be Kohli’s successor in the leadership role? Is currently the biggest question going on in Indian cricket fraternity, Speculations has been going on for quite sometimes now. Many have rooted for Rohit Sharma, who has already been named India’s limited-overs captain as India’s next Test skipper.

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen also rooted for India`s white-ball captain Rohit Sharma. He feels Sharma will be the best Test captain too for the side. In an interaction with India Today, backing Rohit Sharma he said no one can beat him in the race of Test captaincy, and Indian cricket is lucky to have such big names for the leadership role.

“You (India) are so lucky that you have so many options for the captain. I will probably stick with Rohit Sharma,” Pietersen was quoted as saying to ANI.

“Rohit Sharma will be the best Test captain for India as his leadership quality was too good and he has five IPL trophies so no one can beat him in the race of Test captaincy I guess. More importantly, I am really looking forward to how Rahul Dravid is with that team can he do it with the youngsters, can he do it with the big guys.” he added.

Pietersen said Kohli was a ‘good captain’ but the decision to step down must be a personal one and no one should interfere in it. He also said that he was not surprised about Virat’s resignation as the test captain.

“Virat Kohli was a good captain but if he wants to go then that could be anyone’s personal decision no one can interfere in it. Virat is an entertainer and for any athlete, it is very difficult to live in these bio bubbles. As a player, if you give me no crowd it is very difficult to play. So I am not shocked (at Virat’s decision).” the 41 year old explained.

Pietersen also felt it was ‘unfair’ and ‘harsh’ to criticize Kohli. “People who are critical of the modern day sportsmen I think are foolish because these bio-bubbles are very hard to play in. It will be very unfair to be too harsh, to be critical. Because you have not looked at Virat Kohli. Kohli needs crowds, he gets going (from it), he is an entertainer. I think it’s very difficult for his personality to perform to the best of his ( abilities in the bubble.”

Speaking about his sting in Legends Cricket League, Pietersen, said, “I am very excited to be back on the ground and our boys are behaving like kids as we can`t hide our excitement of playing cricket again. This kind of league is really inspiring to the old players we still have the ability to play and we are really excited to get back on the ground,” he concluded.