India news: Rohit Sharma confirmed as skipper in all three formats

Rohit Sharma has been named as the full-time captain in Test cricket adding to his position as white-ball skipper.

Rohit’s appointment comes in the wake of Virat Kohli’s decision to step down from the position following India’s Test series loss to South Africa in January.

India lost the three-match series against the Proteas 2-1, despite starting the series with a win in the Boxing Day Test.

Sri Lanka visit India for a Two-match Test Series beginning on 1 March, and this is supposed to be Rohit’s first assignment as the full-time Test captain.

Rohit has become an integral member of the Test side in the last couple of years and has become a mainstay at the top of the order as well.

India had other younger options for the role like KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant to consider for Test captaincy. Still, the selectors have decided to go with the experience of Rohit as a stop-gap option.

Rohit has received the backing of Australia legend Ricky Ponting among others.

“I was at Mumbai Indians when Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy there,” Ponting told The ICC Review. “I was bought in the auction to be their captain and unfortunately, I wasn’t playing well enough after the first few games to keep myself in the team, so I had to make room for another international player to come into the side.

“The owners and the team management wanted to know who I thought would be the appropriate person to take over the leadership at the Mumbai Indians. There were a few names thrown around between owners and the other coaches but it was really clear to me that there was only one guy that can lead the team – he was a young guy and his name happened to be Rohit Sharma.

“I think the proof is in the pudding with what he has done at the