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India National Cricket Team will be up against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team in a one-off Test on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The Men in Blue side returns to the traditional format for the first time since their loss against South Africa at home last year under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy.
Since then, a lot of things have changed for the side, as Rishabh Pant has been dropped from the vice-captaincy role due to his recent form, with KL Rahul being handed the responsibility for the upcoming series. The Southpaw had a terrible season as the captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the IPL 2026. His team finished at the bottom of the table.
Rishabh Pant to play in a new role
However, this is a different format where he has been one of the best batters for India in recent years. Ahead of the Test match, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has dropped bold comments about Rishabh Pant’s vice-captaincy row and stated that he has no issues with the fact being dropped from the role.
While speaking, Ryan also emphasised the point that the team and the management want the left-handed batter to adjust his game as the situation demands, as he often has been taking chances, knowing for his unorthodox batting even in the oldest format of the game, which has given him much success and runs in SENA countries.
You don’t need a formal title- Ryan ten Doeschate
"You don’t need a formal title to becoming a leader. We need him to adjust his game to play according to the situation," Doeschate told the reporters in New Chandigarh. He also added, "No complaints from Rishabh on being removed as vice-captain."
Pant has scored 3,476 runs in 49 Tests, averaging 42.91. While his attacking style has helped India win games, he has occasionally been chastised for taking needless chances and being reckless. The wicketkeeper-batter has struggled during India's most recent home Test series against South Africa, scoring 49 runs at an average of 12.25.
Very big milestone for him- Rishabh Pant's coach
Despite being dropped the vice-captaincy, Pant remains a member of India's 15-man team for the Afghanistan Test. He will look to regain his form in the forthcoming series and also play some good brand of cricket as per the team’s requirement to keep his place in the side as the competition increases for him.
Rishabh Pant also stepped down from the captaincy role of LSG after their poor season in two back-to-back years. He will be entering the elite list of wicket-keepers alongside MS Dhoni and Syed Kirmani on Saturday, becoming the third keeper for India to play 50 Test matches.
Ahead of the Test match, his childhood coach Devender Sharma stated, “This is a very big milestone for him. To be on the verge of playing his 50th Test match as a wicketkeeper-batter for India is a very huge thing for Rishabh. One must remember that IPL is a white-ball tournament, while Test cricket is played with a red ball, which makes both formats different.
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