When Virat Kohli picked up the reins from MS Dhoni, many fans felt it was too early, but the progression between the two captains was smooth. So when Kohli's time will be up, who would be his successor?
Surely this question has crossed the minds of many people and former India chief selector Kiran More believes Delhi Capitals (DC) current skipper Rishabh Pant could lead the team in the future.
More feels Pant has the skills and also the right mindset. With experience from leading DC in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Pant could prove to be vital.
"Rishabh Pant has the potential to take the Indian team forward. He can lead the side in the future. The kind of mindset he has, he can definitely become the captain of India," the former India wicketkeeper told India TV.
"Rishabh Pant has a sharp mind, he can achieve a lot of things. But it is also up to the individual, how disciplined you are, how do you see the future," More added.
Meanwhile, in the past six months, Pant has taken giant strides when it comes to his batting performance. The left-hander scored 274 runs in the three-Test matches against Australia. This includes his match-winning knock of 89 runs at the historic Gabba Test match.
The southpaw also scored a total of 270 runs in the four-Test matches against England in the home conditions. More believes the bad phase which Pant faced early in his career made him mentally strong.
"If you see Rishabh Pant's graph it has been full of ups and downs. The bad phase has made him mentally strong. He was not picked for the World Cup at first, was dropped from T20Is and ODIs as well. But the way he made a comeback through Test cricket is what makes you a real cricketer. Making a comeback after you get dropped is always the hardest but Pant has shown that he belongs at that level. He will take Indian cricket forward," More added.
More added that Pant's comparison with former skipper MS Dhoni is at a very early stage and the wicketkeeper is still young in his International career and needs to be given time.
"Rishabh has come into the Indian team at a very young age. He is still very young. So you have to give time to a player (to mature). Yes, he will make mistakes here and there, that is natural. When Mahi came, he was a lot matured. He was not as young as Pant when he came into the Indian team. Pant, on the other hand, has come up through the U19 ranks and is a rare talent. He needs to be nurtured well," he said.
