Rohit Sharma was on Saturday named as India’s Test captain, one of the highest-pressure jobs in world sport, completing his takeover of the leadership across cricket formats after Virat Kohli’s exit.
Rohit, 34, will lead the side in the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting March 4, chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma told reporters.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha have been dropped from the side for the Test series.
Rohit has led IPL side Mumbai Indians to a record five titles and had already taken over the white-ball captaincy following Kohli’s surprise departure.
Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah was named as Rohit’s Test deputy, putting him in contention to become the next skipper.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Saurabh Kumar
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