It’s astonishing to make Cheteshwar Pujara deputy captain, says Mohmmad Kaif.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his disbelief at Pujara’s selection as India’s vice-captain for the first Test match against Bangladesh rather than Rishabh Pant.

Due to the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma due to a left thumb injury sustained during the second ODI a week ago, designated vice-captain KL Rahul was elevated to captain for the first Test against Bangladesh and possibly the following one as well. Rohit is now recuperating in Mumbai after dislocating his thumb, and he faces a tight deadline to be ready for the second Test. In addition to this, there was a sudden and unexpected change in the leadership group. Instead of Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara was chosen the team’s vice-captain.

When India played their last Test match in England five months ago, Pant served as vice-captain of the team. India was led by Jasprit Bumrah because Rahul was injured and Rohit was ill with covid.

Everyone anticipated Pant would keep his vice-captaincy position given that Bumrah is once again out with a back ailment, especially given that he has already led India in the shortest format against South Africa at home and is being developed as a leader. Furthermore, given how well Pant has played in red-ball cricket, fielding an Indian XI without a fit Pant in a Test match is now all but impossible.

Mohammed Kaif, a former cricketer for India, expressed his “astonishment” at Pujara’s selection as vice captain.

Pujara was a member of the team back in England, so you’ve either made a mistake now or in England. A mistake has been made. Why is everyone rushing? Why was Pant elevated to captain in such a hurry? He is a novice adjusting to life on the international stage. I recognize that he has won some spectacular games, but he is still young. At this early stage, no one is appointed captain or vice-captain. Why the hurry? I don’t comprehend. Why is it so difficult for someone to continuously winning games and doing well? Being captain should not be more important than helping your team win games. We give players a lot of attention, Kaif continued.

India won’t have players like Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja in addition to Rohit. Despite being in the ODI and Test squads, both veteran cricketers have not recovered from their ailments. Abimanyu Easwaran, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, and Jaydev Unadkat have been added by the selectors to the team.