Misbah-ul-Haq against the idea of Kohli leading the team in the rescheduled fifth Test

After contracting COVID-19, the Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma is yet to recover and is unlikely to lead at Edgbaston. The 35-year-old opener will undergo two more tests for COVID-19 and will play the game if he returns negative tests for both.

There are questions over the stand-in skipper's role, and according to many experts, ex-Test skipper Virat should lead the side as he was the captain in England last year. 

Sharing his thoughts on the same, the former head coach of the Pakistan men's team believes that team India needs Kohli to perform as a batter, and captaincy duties will be an additional burden on the Indian star batter.

"The biggest concern for Virat Kohli is his form with the bat. He has been under a lot of pressure recently because of it. The team management must consider this before considering him for the captaincy as India need him as a batter," said Misbah-ul-Haq while speaking on ICA Sports' YouTube channel.

Kohli was the captain of India during their previous tour of England. Under his leadership, India won two Tests against the English side and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series. 

Misbah suggests BCCI think about the future while electing the new captain

He's also India's most successful Test captain. Still, Misbah pointed out that India should think of the future and then take a call on the captain and further stated that Kohli will be the essential pillar of the team in the absence of Rohit and KL Rahul.

"India should rather look to rely on someone who they think is the future. Virat Kohli should just focus on his batting as he will be an important pillar for the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul," Misbah added.

Kohli showed signs of returning to form as he scored 100 runs in two innings of the tour practice game against Leicestershire. After a patient 33-run knock in the first innings, Kohli scored 67 runs off 98 balls in the second innings.