Virat Kohli stepped down as Test captain a day after India lost the three-match Test series in South Africa 1-2. Kohli’s decision shocked everyone including fans and cricket experts across the globe.

The former India skipper had relinquished T20I captaincy just before the T20 World Cup last year and India failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the marquee tournament. 

Together as one we set out to achieve our goal.Unfortunately we fell short and no one is more disappointed than us as a side.The support from all of you has been fantastic and we are grateful for it all.We will aim to come back stronger and put our best foot forward. Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/UMUQgInHrV

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 8, 2021

Also, the 33-year-old was removed as the captain from the 50-over format and the role was given to his deputy Rohit.

While the Indian cricket board has made their intentions clear as to who will take Indian cricket forward in the limited-overs format, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to reveal who will be Kohli’s successor in red-ball cricket. 

While many names are doing the rounds on social media including the likes of Rohit, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin, some are even wondering whether India will go the Australian way and make a pacer as the captain.

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟒 𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭

𝟕𝟕, 𝟕𝟖, 𝟏𝟔, 𝟖𝟓,

𝟑 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟒 𝐎𝐃𝐈 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬#rishabhpant #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/E58szeJmcr

— Rishabh pant fans (@rishabpantclub) January 21, 2022

During the recently-concluded South Africa series, India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah had already said that he is ready to captain if a chance comes his way.

His partner Mohammed Shami is the latest Test player to throw his name in the race to become India’s next captain in the longest format of the game. 

"I am not thinking too much about captaincy at the moment. I am ready for whatever responsibility is given to me. To be honest, who doesn't want to captain the India team but it is not the only thing and I am looking to contribute in whichever manner possible for the team," Shami told India.com.

After Shami too showed interest in Test captaincy, Rohit Sharma’s fans mocked the pacer and said if someone else is there who wants to be in the race to become the captain, they too can come forward. 

After KL Rahul,Bumrah,now Shami told about Team India Captaincy in Test Cricket.

Rohit Sharma may be thinking : Aur kaun kaun hai race mein aa jao !!

Pant,Ashwin,Shreyas, Pujara !!!@CricCrazyV @CricCrazyAdi #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/2jEcSrmqJz

— Bapunii (@Bapunii1) January 27, 2022

BCCI slackers should just end this debate quickly. Every random player is staking a claim. Will only create ill-will if not properly handled. Build castles in the air and suddenly to find out you don't stand a chance eventually. https://t.co/1vNxLqbBmp

— కార్తిక్ (@karthiknyc) January 28, 2022

This is funny to hear. I want a video clip of this https://t.co/ooHMLgSwG1

— Aayu Sharma (@Aayued) January 27, 2022

Isiliye SA series haare lagta hai. Sabko captaincy hi chahiye... https://t.co/r3rWXV8Yxd

— Aman Pandey (@AmanPan81387002) January 27, 2022 

India’s next Test match is against Sri Lanka, starting February 25.  

There is still time for the board to decide the next Test captain and it will be good that the BCCI announces the name as soon as possible to end this unnecessary debate once and for all.

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