ENG vs IND | 'Not even mature enough to be a captain' - Danish Kaneria on Rishabh Pant

India, who are currently gearing up to face England in the fifth Test, find themselves in a pickle after skipper Rohit Sharma contracted COVID-19 last Saturday (June 25).

Jasprit Bumrah is the most likely contender to shoulder the mantle if Rohit remains unavailable. Apart from Bumrah, Rishabh Pant is also in the foray to lead, who recently skippered the T20 squad in a series against South Africa at home.

However, former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has opposed this view, saying Pant is still immature in leading a side.

On his YouTube Channel, Kaneria said, "He is not even mature enough to be a captain. Because Rohit is doubtful for the Test match. Let's see, when we talk about captaincy, there are three-four names which are coming up, and Virat Kohli's name is not there. I was surprised that Kohli's name has not been suggested.

"Pant's name is there, Jasprit Bumrah's name is there. They might lead the team at Edgbaston. Because Cheteshwar Pujara has been playing for so long, he is the senior-most player in the team; he can lead the team if Rohit Sharma is not there. The best option you have got is Virat Kohli. You can make him the captain. Ravichandran Ashwin is another name which is coming up to be the captain is Rohit is not there."

The leg-spinner further explained that neither Pant nor Bumrah should be appointed captain, and Ashwin should be given a chance.

"Kohli is one of the best choices as captain if Rohit Sharma is not available. You also have Ashwin. Pant was given the captaincy in the South Africa series, and he did a horrible job. His own batting collapses when he does captaincy.

"Ravichandran Ashwin can be a good choice. I think the load should not be on Bumrah. he should concentrate on his bowling. It is Test cricket. I would not keep Bumrah or Pant for captaincy," the 41-year-old concluded.

Interestingly, Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma had categorically mentioned that the former India captain is unlikely to lead the national side at Edgbaston even if an opportunity emerges.