"We have got a lot of IPL captains" - Abhishek Nayar on why India do not have a vice-captain for the IND vs BAN 2024 Test series
Team India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar reckons that the Test side does not need a designated vice-captain. He explained that India have players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in the mix who have captained IPL sides.
India will take on Bangladesh in the second Test at Green Park in Kanpur starting Friday, September 27. The hosts are 1-0 up in the two-match series, having beaten the visitors by 280 runs in the first Test in Chennai.
At a press conference ahead of the Kanpur Test, Nayar was asked about the fact that India have not named a designated vice-captain for the series against Bangladesh. Addressing the matter, he replied (as quoted by Times of India):
"I think we need to understand that we have got a lot of IPL captains in this team. When you talk about the likes of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, hopefully Yashasvi going forward. There are a lot of players who have led their franchises..
"I wouldn't look at them as youngsters any more. Yes, they are youngsters in terms of age and the amount of cricket they have played. But, I think overall, mentally and in their development as a cricketer, I think they have the leadership qualities that are required. You don't need to have a vice-captain that should be designated," the former India all-rounder went on to add.
Lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the vice-captain when India took on England in a five-match Test series at home earlier this year.
"I don't know which surface we are going to play on" - Nayar on India's combination for Kanpur Test
India went in with three pacers and two spinners for the first Test at Chepauk. Asked about the team combination for the second Test in Kanpur, Nayar said that he wasn't sure as they don't know yet which surface they are playing on. The 40-year-old explained:
"To be honest, I don't know which surface we are going to play on yet. Both the pitches look pretty good. Kanpur is often known to have good pitches. I am not sure about the bounce yet.
"With the conditions and the forecast, it is going to be interesting, when we turn up in the morning, how the conditions are. A lot will depend on that because as you know in Test wicket, conditions can be a huge factor in how the pitch plays," Nayar went on to add.
Team India have the option of going in with home boy Kuldeep Yadav or left-arm spinner Axar Patel if they decide to play three slow bowlers in Kanpur.