MUMBAI: The latest chapter in Rishabh Pant’s international journey has turned into one of the toughest stretches of his career. On Tuesday, a series of recent setbacks received formal backing, leaving the 28-year-old at the centre of fresh selection questions. His removal from the Test vice-captaincy followed a dip in ODI opportunities as Ishan Kishan moved ahead when it mattered in the one-day format. For a player once widely seen as a future India captain and a key driver behind several overseas Test triumphs, the current phase has not gone smoothly.
IPL struggles and LSG’s slide
While Pant’s international standing has been under scrutiny, his franchise form has also failed to provide relief. During the IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, he managed only 251 runs across 12 matches, striking an average of 27.88. The output came with just a single fifty, a return far below what many expected from a batter of his reputation.
There has also been no improvement in team results under his leadership. Lucknow Super Giants, with Pant at the helm, have slipped to the bottom of the IPL table, compounding the sense that both individual and collective momentum have been missing.
Samson and Kishan’s momentum after the 2026 T20 World Cup
In contrast to Pant’s stalled spell, his closest competitors have moved ahead. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have surged forward after starring in India’s successful 2026 T20 World Cup campaign and carrying that confidence and form into the IPL for their respective franchises. Their rise has only intensified the spotlight on Pant as India’s selectors look for stable options across formats.
Ajit Agarkar defends Pant’s Test vice-captaincy call
Addressing the decision to step Pant down as vice-captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the intent was to give Pant a clearer focus on his batting. Speaking during a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Agarkar acknowledged Pant’s stature in Test cricket while insisting there was no alarm over his role in the longer format.
- Agarkar called Pant “an incredible” Test player and said the goal was to help him become the best version of himself in Tests.
- He stated there is “no concern” about Pant’s place in the Test team, describing him as one of India’s main batters.
- Agarkar pointed out that Pant had a strong tour of England before injury disrupted his run.
- He added that while India has used two different approaches in One-Day cricket, Pant continues to be viewed as a key figure in Tests.
Agarkar also explained the reasoning behind choosing Rahul as the more dependable deputy to Shubman Gill. The selection, he suggested, was guided by leadership experience and proven performance overseas.
- Agarkar said KL Rahul has captained India in Tests previously.
- He felt Rahul was the best leadership-and-experience option at this point.
- He reiterated that selectors see Rahul as a safer support to Gill, particularly considering overseas track record.
Selection shake-ups: Nabi overlooked, Brar recalled, Prince Yadav gets ODI chance
The selection meeting also produced notable calls in the pace department, with at least one decision raising eyebrows. Despite topping the wicket charts in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Jammu & Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi was left out of the squads.
Nabi’s domestic numbers were eye-catching: 60 wickets in 10 matches at an extraordinary average of 12.56. Yet the selectors backed Punjab and Gujarat Titans pacer Gurnoor Brar for both Test and ODI squads. Lucknow Super Giants pacer Prince Yadav, meanwhile, earned his maiden ODI call-up.
This reshuffle effectively narrows the immediate pathways for Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, at least for the current round of squad selections. Agarkar confirmed that Nabi’s performances were discussed in detail, but said the Test squad balance matters, particularly in terms of how many seamers India carries.
- Auqib Nabi led the wickets in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy with 60 in 10 matches at an average of 12.56, but was overlooked.
- Gurnoor Brar received backing for both the Test and ODI squads.
- Prince Yadav earned a first ODI call-up after his Lucknow Super Giants stint.
- Agarkar acknowledged Nabi was close and that there was discussion around him.
- He said India does not necessarily select too many seamers for a Test squad.
Agarkar’s remarks made it clear that the final balance of the bowling group was the defining factor, even with Nabi’s recent domestic impact. With the squads shaped this way, the focus now shifts to how the new pace combinations and leadership choices play out for India across formats.
