Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Rishabh Pant will return for India in the one off Test against Afghanistan starting on Saturday in New Chandigarh after coach Gautam Gambhir urged the wicketkeeper batsman to continue playing his natural game despite being replaced as vice captain. The leadership change sees KL Rahul become deputy to captain Shubman Gill in a match that carries importance for both teams ahead of a new Test season.
Pant enters the match under pressure after a difficult Indian Premier League campaign and recent changes around his leadership role. The 28 year old stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants after the side finished at the bottom of the standings.
Gambhir made it clear that India does not want Pant to change his identity as a player despite recent struggles.
“The responsibility is to play for India and the rest, everything else, is a by product,” Gambhir told reporters before the match.
“When you start playing for India, you do not think about being a vice captain. You think about doing good for India.”
Pant backed despite recent struggles
Pant remains one of India’s most productive Test batters in recent years. Since making his debut in England in August 2018, he has scored 3476 runs from 49 Test matches at an average of 42.91.
However, his recent form has raised questions. During this year’s IPL season, Pant scored 312 runs from 14 innings with a strike rate of 138.05.
The drop in output came during a season where his franchise struggled for consistency and results. That has increased attention on how he responds in the longer format.
Gambhir said India would continue encouraging Pant to play positively while also understanding match situations better.
“We will not tell him to curb your game, but in international cricket, it is very important to play the situation, to read the situation,” Gambhir said.
Pant’s aggressive style has often changed matches quickly in Test cricket. India will hope that approach delivers again against Afghanistan.
Leadership changes ahead of New Chandigarh Test
The decision to replace Pant as vice captain comes before an important period for India’s Test group. Gill continues building his leadership credentials while Rahul returns to a senior role within the side.
India has not officially framed the move as a long term decision, but the change has naturally created discussion before the opening ball.
For Rahul, the appointment brings added responsibility in a squad that still contains several younger players finding their place in Test cricket.
Gambhir stressed that leadership positions should remain secondary to performance.
His comments suggested India wants players focused primarily on contribution rather than titles within the dressing room.
Gambhir reflects on difficult Test record
India enters the match after mixed results under Gambhir in Test cricket. His record as coach currently stands at seven wins, ten defeats, and two draws from 19 matches.
Their most recent Test series ended in disappointment with a 2 0 home defeat against South Africa in November.
India also endured a difficult home series against New Zealand in 2024 where they failed to win a match.
Despite those setbacks, Gambhir pointed to positive performances elsewhere.
“We all know how well this young team played in England, and then we won against West Indies,” he said.
He admitted the South Africa series still remains painful.
“These are young boys,” Gambhir said.
“I think we have got enough talent to turn it around, and I am very hopeful that we will give ourselves the best chance to win the World Test Championship.”
The Afghanistan Test does not count toward the current World Test Championship cycle, but it still offers India valuable preparation time.
Afghanistan looking to continue Test growth
Afghanistan approaches the match with a different objective. The visitors continue building experience in the format after making their Test debut in India in 2018.
Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan has played 12 Tests and won four of them.
Coach Richard Pybus said his team remains focused on executing its own plans rather than external expectations.
“We are fully focused on this Test match,” Pybus said.
“Our focus is on, cliche as it sounds, is really our control. It is what we need to do.”
Afghanistan has steadily improved its standing in red ball cricket and sees matches against major nations as important opportunities for development.
The one off Test begins on Saturday with the first ball scheduled for 2pm AEST.