Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has voiced his support for KL Rahul’s appointment as the interim captain for the ODI series against South Africa. The decision comes after Shubman Gill was ruled out of the three-match series with a neck injury. The ODIs are scheduled for November 30, December 3, and December 6, following the ongoing Test matches.
Kaif believes KL Rahul is the most fitting choice for the captaincy at this juncture. He acknowledged that Rohit Sharma, based on his recent century, could have remained captain. However, Kaif indicated that the Indian team appears to be adopting a forward-thinking approach, focusing on developing new leaders and giving chances to upcoming players.
“There’s no one else,” Kaif remarked, elaborating on the team’s direction. He mentioned that the team is moving on from past leadership structures and is keen to provide exposure to a new generation. He also noted that Virat Kohli is no longer captaining, while young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are still finding their feet, and Rishabh Pant is making his way back.
Kaif also pointed to KL Rahul’s experience captaining in the IPL as a significant asset. This prior leadership exposure, he suggested, will be beneficial as Rahul leads the charge against the Proteas. However, Kaif did express some consternation regarding Rohit Sharma, who had previously played a role in promoting KL Rahul, being replaced as captain while still being available for selection.