Shreyas Iyer to Shubman Gill | 5 Prospective Players who may lead India after Virat Kohli |

 

What Makes a Good Leader Great? Their ability to lead by example, back their side when they're underperforming, motivate and inspire them to give their best whilst also appreciating the collective and individual efforts put in.  

India are currently very well settled with Virat Kohli leading the squad in all the three formats of the game, and Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to back him up in ODIs/T20s and Tests respectively. All great things must come to an end and despite being one of the best captains of all time, Virat Kohli may someday have to step down as the captain. The 2023 Cricket World Cup may be the last mega event led by King Kohli or his companions as the BCCI would look forward to invest in players who can lead the team in the future events. Despite that, there are a few players in the current batch of cricketers who may have what it takes to be India's "Next Big Captain". Here's a list of 5 such players.

5. SHREYAS IYER - Shreyas Iyer was the answer for India's years long quest for a perfect No. 4 batsman. For those who don't know, Shreyas Iyer took the leadership duties of Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) from Gautam Gambhir mid-way through the 2018 edition of the IPL. He was the 4th youngest player to lead an IPL franchise, being just over 23. Over the years, the Mumbai born has emerged as one of the better captains in not just the history of Delhi's IPL franchise, but the IPL as a whole. Skipper Shreyas is the perfect example of a leader who leads by example as he posted impressive scores of 411, 463 and 513 runs in the following seasons as the captain. Iyer believes in backing up his players and has built a dependable core team around him, which comprises of mainly youngsters. Shreyas Iyer took an average performing Delhi side to the semi finals in 2019 and to the franchise's first finals in the year 2020. At just 26 years of age and a promising international career to follow, Shreyas Iyer may be the ideal choice to be India's next captain. 

4. JASPRIT BUMRAH - In an Indian team desperately searching for a death overs' bowler, Jasprit Bumrah came to the fore through the Indian Premier League, as a boon for cricket in the country. Over the years, his dependable bowling, knack of getting wickets at crucial intervals and will to improve has made Bumrah an invaluable asset to the Indian side. The Gujarat born is considered as one of, if not the best bowlers in world cricket right now and despite having played just 16 test matches, Bumrah is the leader of India's pace attack. What really makes Boom Boom a good leader is his calmness, ability to lead, back his fellow bowlers and stand up for his team when his captain needs it the most, doing all the same with a pleasant smile on his face. Even though he's not officially led a side before, the aforementioned qualities may back the 27 year old as the right replacement for Virat Kohli as the captain. 

3. SHUBMAN GILL - Shubman Gill is the latest prodigy of India's familial batting production line. Gill, an up and coming top order batsman, who's impressed fans and critics with his calm and calculated batting maneuvers, may be one of the contendors to be India's next captain. The 21-year old has already led India Blue in the Duleep Trophy. He also led India A and India C against New Zealand A in 2020 and for the 2019-20 edition of the Deodhar Trophy respectively, becoming the youngest cricketer to lead a side at the Deodhar Trophy in the process. The tall, lanky cricketer has made a place for himself in the National side across all three formats of the game and has shown glimpses of greatness in the way he bats and his positive attitude on and off the field as well. Impressed with the youngster's composure with the willow, many cricketing legends and experts have gone on record to say that the Punjab born should be leading his IPL franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders. The upcoming couple of years will be much vital for the youngster's career and if he keeps up with his growth and his  can-do attitude, he might be one of the favourites to lead the National side.

2. HARDIK PANDYA - Hardik Pandya took the cricketing world by storm after his showing in the 2015 edition of the IPL and ever since that, he has never looked back. Pandya has been a prominent figure in the Indian squad in the last 5 years and is a solidified veteran just at the age of 27. The Gujarat born has taken more responsibility as he's grown into a more mature cricketer, constantly working hard in order to reinvent himself as and how the side needs him to deliver. From a seamer who can bat, to a hard hitting all rounder and then to a No. 6 batsman who can not only finish the game with his pinch hitting but can also save the innings, you name it, "Kung Fu" Pandya done it all. He's also proved that he's grown as a person, leaving the incidents from his past behind him and becoming not just a more mature and sensible human being but also a dedicated team player. Having never led a side before, Hardik still is in the races to be the next captain courtesy his bucket load of experience at the top level, calmness and composure on and off the field and will to stand up and deliver when the team needs him the most. 

1. KL RAHUL - Kannur Lokesh Rahul is the prime candidate to be the next captain of the Indian Cricket Team. The current vice captain of India and an asset to the side across formats, KL has proved his merit by his outstanding feats with the bat and the gloves. Rahul is also the captain of the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL and is one of the top three T20 batsmen in world cricket right now. He's proved his critics wrong time and time again by his sublime batting and the way he carries himself. He also bagged the orange cap in the 2020 edition of the IPL with a mammoth 670 runs. The Karnataka born has broken all boundaries of versatility by batting as an opener, top and lower middle order batsman whilst keeping wickets as a keeper all the same. At just 28 and with his best years ahead of him, KL has a lot more to offer to Indian cricket, be it as a player or as a captain. 

Who would you like to see lead the Men in Blues and why? Tell us about it in the comments below.