India vs New Zealand: Top 5 Contenders to be the next Captain Team India

Gautam Gambhir is captaining the India Cricket Team in the series against NewZealand in the absence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his deputy Virender Sehwag. One can argue whether Gambhir’s appointment is just a stop-gap rather than a conscious effort towards grooming a future captain. But his performance in the last two games has been one that would suit an established captain anywhere in the world.

For Gambhir is Dhoni’s contemporary and Dhoni will most propbably outlive his playing career as a captain unless a calamity befalls Indian Cricket is true. This means that this stop-gap arrangement has little repercussions on the future of India Cricket, however it proves that there is no dearth of leadership skills in Indian Cricket.

This one is a long shot for sure. The way this Indian team is going it is not even a distant possibility that Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be displaced from his job as the Captain of Team India. However, exploring new arenas and having a capable deputy is always a step in the right direction.

This article will look at some of the youngsters in the team who can take on the baton in distant future.

1. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

It may be to the surprise of many that Gautam Gambhir will follow Raina in this list and not vice versa but it is how I see it. In his small career Raina has shown what everybody wants to see, controlled aggression with consistent results. His performance has been by far the best in the lot of youngsters. He has become the blue-eyed boy of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni; pretty much the role that many had saved for Yuvraj Singh.

Raina has captained the Chennai Super Kings in Dhoni’s absence and has done a decent enough job in the shorter format. Much cannot be said about his potential as a leader but he does seem to have a cricketing mind. You sure need a killer of a brain to replace Dhoni.

2. Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir is enjoying the responsibility in the series against New Zealand and one thing is sure, he has lead from the front. This is exactly what we expect from him if we ever get to see him take over the job full-time.

Gambhir is a deputy to Sehwag and the two share a peculiar relationship. They both have played and captained Delhi for a brief while. He has always wanted to concentrate on his batting first, and he will continue to do so inspite of tasting blood against New Zealand.

3. Virender Sehwag

Sehwag has never shied from the fact that he wants to captain the India side. However, he has never shown impatience to assume the role. With Dhoni firmly in the driving seat Sehwag has catapulted himself to the role of the senior player and mentor.

He has made a huge leap in terms of his consistency with the bat and has become the fan-favorite in the India team for sure.

4. Virat Kohli

This Delhi lad has the advantage of captaining a glorious world cup winning U-19 side. He has proved himself in the ODI’s with consecutive tons and a couple of very mature innings. A man certainly for the future.

Virat Kohli

5. Yuvraj Singh

If you remember, Yuvraj came on the India cricketing scene as a find of Sourav Ganguly. The outstanding leader in Indian Cricket and arguably India’s best ever. Yuvraj has since been tagged as the potential super-star but inspite of some explosions he has spewed little venom.

He is out of favor with the team and selectors currently but will it be for long? Its a question for destiny to answer.