As Steven Smith has been named Australia’s stand-in captain for the remaining Test series against India, with the selectors convinced that opting for young blood to lead the side, instead of going for experienced player, is a step way forward.
They’ve made the correct decision, and here we look at some young players being named captain of their respective sides.
Virat Kohli
Kohli was a default choice to lead the side once MS Dhoni was declared unfit, after already leading India in the limited overs format and doing well.
He has plenty of experience to lead the side as he was captain of the Under-19 team that won the World Cup. His aggressive style and approach towards the game only meant that he was looked at as a future captain of the national side. Statistics show that whenever he has led his side, his form has only improved and that should be a striking point to let him continue to lead the side.
Angelo Mathews
With big players like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakarra and Tillakaratne Dilshan not showing interest to lead the side and other players not experienced enough, Angelo Mathews was the only common denominator to take the reins of Sri Lanka.
Not only has he led from the front by scoring a fighting century against England in an away tour and winning the Test series, Mathews’ form has only improved since becoming skipper. He is also a handy bowler which lets the team play an extra batsman when the situation demands.
With Sangakarra, Jayawardene and Dilshan not seeing themselves playing beyond the 2015 World Cup, Angelo Mathews will have a huge responsibility to look after a young crop of players.
Steven Smith
Displaying a natural cricketing brain, who is a good player of spin and aggressive when situation demands, Smith has been rightly appointed skipper of the Australian side for the India series. He has led Australia A, New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers, but this will be the first time Smith will lead in the longest format.
At 25, he will bring fresh ideas and an approach and enthusiasm which will be refreshing to see and watch. While only time will tell whether Smith is good enough to lead the Test side, he should be given long rope to make him comfortable as a captain, keeping in mind the upcoming Ashes tour in England.
One common factor among these captains is their aggressive style and approach they bring to their side, which will only make the game interesting to watch. So here’s for the young blood to step in and change the future of Test matches.
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