With the way things are going on, there is no guarantee that the BCCI will even allow India to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy. But the prospect of disappointing a billion people may not be something that the BCCI would like to face and hence without a comprising with the ICC appearing on the horizon, a second string side may be route that the BCCI eventually goes with. Here we look at Five players who could CAPTAIN India’s second string side in the Champions Trophy.
Advertisement
ALSO READ : Mitchell Johnson reveals why India cannot produce fast bowlers
While this news may disappoint the hundreds of Indian fans who have already purchased tickets, at least this will give Indian a chance at defending their trophy. This will also give many fringe players a chance at staking their claim for a run in the first eleven of the national team.
So let us look at five players who could CAPTAIN India’s second string side in the Champions Trophy.
5) Ambati Rayudu
If there ever was a player who deserved to play more regularly for the Indian team, it is Ambati Rayudu.
The stylish batsman has been a very consistent performer in the domestic circuit over the years in addition to being a reliable player for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
He has become an integral part of the MI team over the years and is fondly has been a fantastic servant to the franchise.
While the time has passed for Rayudu to claim a long term spot in the national team, his experience will prove to be a huge asset if he becomes the captain of this second string Indian team.
4) Karun Nair
While he may not be a very experienced captain, Nair has shown that he can lead a side successfully as was shown recently in the IPL.
Nair lead the side in the absence of Zaheer Khan and won some admirers along the way.
Since his sensational triple century, Nair has gone through a lean patch with the bat. Maybe the added scrutiny to every innings that he plays might have put extra pressure on him.
Whatever the case, Nair could prove to be handy choice as the captain of India’s second string side. It may turn out to be a masterstroke.
3) Suresh Raina
The once integral part of the Indian team, Raina has slowly slipped under the radar of the national team selectors.
Raina has a wealth of experience that can be matched by only very few. His has past experience in playing ICC tournaments and that could prove to be vital as the tournament progresses.
He has led his IPL franchise quite admirably over the last couple of years and maybe it is time to give him a shot at the national captaincy.
ALSO READ : Archana Vijaya REACTS to her viral picture with Virat Kohli
2) Harbhajan Singh
India’s most successful off spinner in history, Harbhajan Singh was not offered a contract by the BCCI this year.
Clearly they do not see him as a part of the Indian setup over the next few years which must be hard to take for his huge legion of fans. Bhajji is still very much a part of the IPL where he has been a superb player for the Mumbai Indians over the years.
He memorably lead the Mumbai Indians to a Champions League victory which made people sit up and take notice of his captaincy.
The only question is whether or not the BCCI will give one of Indian cricket’s cult heroes one last crack at glory in the Champions Trophy ?
1) Gautam Gambhir
When we think of the most successful captains in IPL history, Gautam Gambhir will be someone who will make it into most people’s lists.
Gambhir came to a KKR side that had performed far below than their expectations over the first three years. His led from the front and his shrewd captaincy allowed KKR to win two IPL trophies in three years.
It is a shame that Gautam Gambhir played at a time when India had its most successful captain in his pomp. Dhoni’s presence may have stopped the Delhi batsman in the past, but this unique circumstance gives Gambhir the chance to lead his country into a major ICC tournament.
He is the best choice as a captain and if the BCCI gives him a chance then you could very well expect him to lead his side far into the tournament.
