The Indian Cricket Board updated India’s Test squad for the two-match series in Bangladesh on Monday, after captain Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the first match due to a thumb injury sustained during the ODI series. For the first Test, they named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement.
The change in leadership order, however, perplexed fans. KL Rahul, who was previously the vice-captain, has been named skipper in Rohit’s place, with Cheteshwar Pujara named vice-captain, a decision that has been criticised by fans.
“India captain Rohit Sharma met with a specialist in Mumbai for his left thumb injury, which he sustained during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh. He has been advised appropriate management for this injury and will not be available for the first Test against Bangladesh. The BCCI Medical Team will take a call on his availability for the second and final Test at a later stage. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Abhimanyu Easwaran as his replacement for the first Test,” read Indian Cricket Board’s statement.
When Rohit was named captain across formats earlier this year, the selection committee stated that they were looking at a few other players, namely Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah, as future leaders and that they would be groomed for the role. As a result, Bumrah was named Rohit’s deputy when India hosted Sri Lanka in March, a series in which Pujara was dropped.
Pant was named vice-captain for the England tour after Bumrah was asked to lead India in the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma. For that one-off game, Pujara had returned to the Indian Test XI. Fans expected Pant to be named vice-captain for the Bangladesh tour, but selectors chose Pujara instead, leaving them infuriated.
India’s updated squad for Bangladesh Tests
KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat
Here is how Twitter reacted to Cheteshwar Pujara being appointed as Vice-Captain
BCCI is beyond me. Every series should be treated like his last for Pujara but they make him the VC ?
— 82@MCG (@dew_factor) December 12, 2022
Appointing Pujara as vice-captain is one means to tell him, 'Puji, you're still invaluable to us'. India should do everything in their will to ensure Virat, Pujara, Ashwin, Rohit, Bumrah, Jaddu are making that Aussie trip come 2024-25. With rise of Green & Boland, and Aus showing
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) December 12, 2022
Where is Vihari?? U are giving opportunities to Pujara but not to Vihari.
— Harry (@cricfreac) December 12, 2022
Wait Pujara vice captain?
— Pranav Shukla (@pranav_shukla13) December 12, 2022
But all these days BCCI made Pant VC when Rohit was not available.. Suddenly he has been removed from leadership now and they made Pujara VC. What they are trying to communicate to the viewers &fans? What they are actually thinking. Making fun of players,us,fans & everyone.
— Vicky (@CAVickyzz) December 11, 2022
Whatever..unnecessary. agar Pant was identified to be one who isnt like a leader then they should have given it to Iyer.
Pujara was supposed to be transitioned out of the team and is now VC.
Chetan and bold calls dont go hand in hand as Kushan da said.
— Abhinandan Nahata (@khelgyani_abhi) December 11, 2022
Sri Lanka tour of India 2022 March (Pujara Dropped)
Rohit Sharma Captain
Jasprit Bumrah VCIndia tour of ENG 2022 July
Jasprit Bumrah Captain
Rishabh Pant VCIndia tour of Bangladesh 2022
KL Rahul Captain
Cheteshwar Pujara VCThank you Rahul Dravid Sir for such stability?
— Rudraksh Singhal (@Rudrsinghal) December 11, 2022
@BCCI Ridiculous decision to make pujara vc when pant is there in the squad
— Sharan N (@Rahul357N) December 12, 2022
The problem is not with KL being the captain. (I prefer pant to be the captain, since KL doesn’t have it to be the aggressive captain, he chokes under pressure as a batsman, I don’t have any hope him leading. LSG he lost the semi by statpadding). Pujara VC is a joke! ?
— bhuvy.eth (@BhuvyEth) December 11, 2022
Now when I think of it, it really baffles me why he was taken off as the VC. Pujara was there in Eng but Pant was VC, now Pujara. I thought they preferred experience but it looks like that's not the case.
— Pranav Nair (@leg_gully) December 11, 2022
