Surprising news comes from the Indian cricket camp – Rishabh Pant may step down as deputy leader in Tests. Sources say holding a top role has started to press hard on him. That pressure? It’s showing up when he faces bowlers. His batting hasn’t stayed steady under the weight. Some inside voices believe stepping back could help clear his mind. Leading isn’t fitting like it once did. The burden seems to drag more than lift lately. What happens next stays unclear for now
Tuesday brings the selectors together in Guwahati, eyeing choices for the Test and ODI teams ahead of the Afghanistan clash. Because of how Pant has led Lucknow Super Giants, talk about his return grows louder by the day.
Out on the field that November day in Guwahati, during a Test against South Africa without Shubman Gill, Pant’s leadership didn’t hold up under scrutiny. With results mattering more than ever, the BCCI sees value in keeping Pant sharp; stepping back from vice-captain role might just do it.
Bumrah Likely to Feature in Test Match
Word has spread about a possible shift in Jasprit Bumrah’s role during the upcoming matches. Should the doctors approve his fitness and match load, the leading fast bowler might feature in the single Test versus Afghanistan. Yet, participation in the ODI games against the same opponent remains out of reach.
Should any small problem show up in his schedule, playing the Test match won’t happen at all. Oddly enough, Prince Yadav – standing out heavily for Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2026 – has quietly emerged as a strong option for the ODI series too.
