When Rohit became captain, the expectation was the ICC events – Mohammad Kaif

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif believes the expectation was the ICC events when Rohit Sharma was appointed as the team’s captain. Rohit was handed over the captaincy baton after Virat Kohli relinquished his duties as a skipper.

Rohit led India in the T20 World Cup for the first time and the team was able to make it to the semifinal stages. However, the team suffered an ignoniminous defeat of 10 wickets against England.

Rohit has a great record as a captain while leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL as he has taken the team to glory on five occasions. However, it wouldn’t be fair to judge Rohit’s captiancy on the basis of one major event for the national team. India also couldn’t make it to the final of the Asia Cup after losing against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super 12 stage under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

On the other hand, India had last won a major ICC trophy back in 2013 when MS Dhoni led the team to glory in the Champions Trophy. Since then, India has consistently made it to the knockout stages of the big events but they haven’t been able to go all the way, which has been a disappointment.

Mohammad Kaif said on Sony Sports Network, “Rohit has done well since he has become the captain. Apart from the big events where he failed in the World Cup and the Asia Cup, that’s why people are not happy. It was the same thing when Virat was the captian. He was winning all the bilateral series, the Tests.”

Kaif continued: “So, when Rohit became the captain, the expectation was the ICC events. It is still very early days for Rohit Sharma as captain, for us to judge him how he has done, we have to wait and watch. But, the pressure is on for him.”

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma missed the first Test match against Bangladesh due to a thumb injury and KL Rahul will lead the team in his absence.

“The spotlight will be on KL Rahul- the captain, in the absence of Rohit Sharma. He has not had a good record as captain, he has not led much, but it has not been good.”

Kaif added: “Moreover, he has to lead a team without the likes of Bumrah and Shami. The batters will score runs, that is not an issue. But, how will they take 20 wickets, that will be a challenge.”