India head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed the decision to replace wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant with KL Rahul as Shubman Gill’s Test vice-captain. The move landed as a surprise when the squad for the one-off encounter versus Afghanistan was announced, with Pant seemingly losing the deputy role despite his past importance in the leadership group.
Pant, who has often preferred to keep his thoughts private, has now been given a clear message from the top: in international cricket, players must shape their approach to match the demands of specific situations. That stance comes against a backdrop of scrutiny after India’s most recent Test campaign, where the hosts were swept aside 0-2 by South Africa.
Quick facts
- Gautam Gambhir commented on Pant being replaced as Test vice-captain by KL Rahul.
- The change was noticed when India named their squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
- India were beaten 0-2 by South Africa in the most recent Test series.
- Pant faced criticism after a rash dismissal in the second Test in Guwahati, following a moment of poor decision-making.
- Gambhir said the team does not want Pant to “change”, but wants players to respect match situations.
- Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said there are no complaints from Pant about the leadership adjustment.
In the most recent Test series, Pant’s form and decision-making were questioned, and attention intensified after the second match in Guwahati. There, the aggressive left-hander lost his wicket after a rush of momentum, a dismissal that drew displeasure from those around the side. It was a moment that sharpened the debate over how he was handling pressure and game-state at the highest level.
That scrutiny also spilled into the lead-up to the Afghanistan Test. After a below-par IPL 2026 season with the Lucknow Super Giants, Pant’s Test leadership role was moved away, triggering plenty of speculation about what the change might mean for his future.
Gambhir’s message: match-situation first
Speaking ahead of the Afghanistan Test on Friday, Gambhir made the team’s position clear. He said the management does not want Pant to alter who he is as a player, but believes international cricket requires batters and wicketkeepers to respond properly to the conditions and the match situation.
“We don’t want Rishabh Pant to change, but international cricket demands players to respect match situations,” Gambhir told reporters. The coach’s comments framed the adjustment not as a punishment, but as a request for refinement in how the game is played when the context shifts.
Gambhir’s remarks also served as a response to the wider chatter around leadership and role clarity. By stressing “match situations” rather than naming performance alone, he tried to reduce the noise around a leadership demotion and focus on what the team wants from Pant going forward.
No complaints, just adaptation
On Thursday, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate added further detail to the internal picture. He said there have been no complaints from Pant after losing the vice-captaincy and suggested the wicketkeeper-batter has had open conversations with Gambhir.
Ten Doeschate also made it clear that the team would like Pant to adapt more consistently to the game’s changing demands. He argued that leadership does not necessarily depend on holding a specific title, emphasizing that Pant can still influence the group through his attitude and preparation.
“I don’t think you need a formal title to be a leader in a lead set-up like this. I think Rishabh understands that, and I think he’s committed to being a good role model and a senior player,” ten Doeschate said.
He went on to explain that the management does not want to remove what Pant brings to the dressing room and to the team’s batting identity. “With Rishabh’s brilliance, we don’t want to take away all the stuff that he does. Occasionally, if he can adjust his game to play the situation slightly more, I think that’s something you’ll see him work on,” the former Netherlands all-rounder added.
Ten Doeschate also pointed to Pant’s mindset, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter has been in good spirits despite the leadership change. “But he’s been in great spirits again. He’s one of those guys who’s happy and cheerful and drives the spirit in the team. We’ve got no complaints from him. You wouldn’t even notice that his role in the leadership structure has changed. So, no concerns about Rishabh, and I can’t wait to see him back again,” he concluded.
