India chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday said the selection committee wants Rishabh Pant to focus on regaining his best form in Test cricket following recent changes to his leadership and white-ball roles in the Indian team.
Pant was replaced as India’s Test vice-captain by KL Rahul for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, while fellow wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan earned a place ahead of him in the ODI squad.
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Despite the setback, Pant remains one of India’s most influential performers in the longest format. The 28-year-old has produced several memorable match-winning innings for the national side and is widely admired for his fearless and aggressive style of batting in Test cricket.
However, questions surrounding his leadership abilities appear to have played a role in the selectors’ latest decisions. Pant’s captaincy campaign with Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2026 season has faced criticism, with the franchise currently sitting at the bottom of the points table.
Speaking about Pant’s role, Agarkar suggested that the management believes the wicketkeeper-batter can contribute more effectively by concentrating on his batting rather than carrying additional leadership responsibilities.
The development reflects India’s evolving approach towards team leadership as the selectors continue to fine-tune the squad ahead of a crucial international calendar.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
