Ind vs Eng 5th Test: Vaughan wants this player to lead England in Ben Stokes' absence and not Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope (Pic: File Pic)

Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan feels that Harry Brook should be leading the side in Ben Stokes' absence and not Ollie Pope.

Before the start of the fifth Test match against Team India, England appointed Ollie Pope as their captain, as Ben Stokes was ruled out of the match.

On Pope's appointment for the leadership role, Vaughan said on the Test Match Special podcast, "Harry Brook, to me, looks a leader. He looks a born leader".

He also said that if Stokes sustains an injury in the future, Brook should take over the captaincy role, and Pope should be appointed as his deputy.

"If Ben Stokes is injured in the future can't Pope stay as vice-captain and Harry Brook gets the leadership role?," he said.

"I look at someone like Ollie Pope, who looks a fantastic vice-captain. He is a brilliant person to have next to the captain to come up with ideas. Sometimes vice-captains aren't brilliant captains," added Vaughan.

The former cricketer then said that former player Marcus Trescothick was a magnificent vice-captain, but he wouldn't want to give him the captaincy.

"Marcus Trescothick was a magnificent vice-captain for me, but you wouldn't want to give him the captaincy," said the veteran of 82 Test matches.

The 50-year-old then said that a good vice-captain will not necessarily be a good captain.

"I don't know well enough and am not in the dressing room. I just want the best captain who is the best leader leading the England side. I don't think a good vice-captain will necessarily be a good captain," he signed off.

In the ongoing fifth Test match against Team India, England is falling short by just 35 runs to win the match. If they manage to secure a win in the fifth and final Test, the side will then clinch the series by 3-1.

On the other hand, the series is on the line for Team India skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The visitors are trailing by 1-2, and will look to win the fifth Test in order to draw the series.

(With PTI Inputs)