3 young Indian players who have the potential to captain the team in the future

From Kapil Dev to Sourav Ganguly to MS Dhoni, India has had a history of producing world-class captains. After Dhoni stepped down, Virat Kohli has taken up the job quite efficiently with back-to-back series wins, and would be the first choice captain even for the ICC World Cup to be held in 2023.

In August, Kohli became the most successful Test captain in the history of Indian cricket during the tour of the West Indies. And at 31, he is still in his prime.

But captaincy is not an easy job. Not only does he have to prove his batting abilities every time he steps on the pitch, but he also has the added responsibility of being the ship anchor. Even the legend Sachin Tendulkar, despite proving his excellent batting caliber, had to step down from the captaincy after showing ineffective leadership skills.

Kohli is in no danger of falling prey to such a situation any time soon. But even if he doesn't, age will catch up to him eventually, and India will have to look to someone else to fill his shoes.

On that note, here is a look at three young and upcoming players who have the potential to captain India in the future.

#3 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

Age: 22

Rishabh Pant was named in India's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. The vice-captain of the team during the tournament, Pant hit an 18-ball fifty, the fastest at this level. The same year, Delhi Daredevils picked him up for INR 1.9 crore, and the rest is history.

Pant has proven to be the best batsman for the Capitals consistently for more than four years now. Leading from the front, he is as aggressive as Kohli and Virender Sehwag, and seems to be tailor-made for the national side.

6,0,4,6,4,4 against the best bowler in the West Indies team. Rishabh is turning Vizab into a PANThouse!#INDvWI #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/o3w8KbZnTf

— Rahul Pandey (@RahulP1617) December 18, 2019

Arguably the best batsman of the 2018 edition of the IPL, Pant is considered by many to be the next big thing in Indian cricket. Fulfilling the need of the hour, Pant is a great hard-hitter who can take on any bowler and smash him out of the park.

A phenomenal wicketkeeper-batsman, Pant has already broken into the national side as a regular in T20s and ODIs, and is the undisputed heir to Dhoni's throne.

#2 Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer

Age: 25

Under the guidance of Pravin Amre, Shreyas Iyer hit the headlines when he represented Trent Bridge Cricket Team during a trip of the UK. He scored 297 runs at an average of 99 with a highest score of 171, a new team record.

After having successful stints in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy, and a phenomenal run in Ranji Trophy two years in a row, Iyer was picked up by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for INR 2.6 crore.

In 2018, he began a new journey as the team's captain after Gautam Gambhir stepped down. Handling two tasks at the same time, Iyer came to DC's rescue time and time again.

Iyer has proven his importance in the ODIs, showcasing his mettle with back-to-back 50s against West Indies. This is what he said post his 32-ball 53 in India's 107-run win over West Indies in the must-win 2nd ODI.

I was a flamboyant player when I started playing first-class cricket. I never used to take responsibility. I just used to back my instincts and go with the flow.

Lately, I've realized that once you play at the highest level, you gotta take that maturity to another stage. Previous ODIs, I played I was batting at No. 5. It's not that I have been stable at No. 4 but in the last 2 games, I have been batting at No. 4.

I am flexible that way in batting at any number. You got to be flexible and play according to the team's demands.

Having made his debut for the national side in both the limited overs formats, Iyer is a bright youngster who has all the tools to become the next captain of the Indian cricket team. With his position solidified as a marvelous middle-order batsman, he might be the go-to player to bat at #4 for years to come.

#1 Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw

Age: 20

Prithvi Shaw came into the limelight after a mammoth innings of 546 off 330 balls in a Harris Shield match, and since then there has been no looking back for him.

Captaining the India Under-19 team to the World Cup in 2017, Shaw impressed everyone with his stellar batting and cool-headed tactics. His performances fetched him an IPL contract with Delhi Daredevils for INR 1.2 crore, where he went on to become the joint youngest player to score an IPL fifty (along with Sanju Samson).

Sachin Tendulkar was all praise for Shaw's Test century off just 99 deliveries against West Indies last year.

To me, being talented is one thing but what you do with that talent becomes more important. If you want to succeed at the international level you’ve got to be a fast learner. And Prithvi is a very good learner.

When somebody has to perform and sustain at this level, and play cricket at different conditions across the world for a long time to come, adaptability becomes the critical factor. I feel he has the knack to adapt to different situations and conditions. To me, that is Prithvi’s biggest strength.

Currently coming out of a rough patch because of a doping test failure, Shaw has begun his comeback with scintillating performances in the domestic circuit once again. It's just a matter of time before he becomes a regular member of the Indian squad.

With a batting stance comparable to Tendulkar and composure similar to that of MS Dhoni, Shaw is the perfect candidate to lead the team once Virat Kohli hangs up his boots.