Rishabh Pant right choice as Test vice-captain

Leadership in Indian cricket has now become a big battle. With the BCCI and coach Gautam Gambhir having decided to turn Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into the proverbial sacrificial lambs, the focus is now on Shubman Gill. All of a sudden, Gill has become the blue-eyed boy of many, and his elevation as Test captain is now more or less certain. Since the time stories appeared in print and digital media, Gill found favour, he has become a celebrity. However, this elevation is not purely based on merit but how Gambhir wants to build a team for the future in the new Test cycle.

The same Gill did not make the cut for the ICC T20 World Cup last year in the West Indies. And he was upset. When he was picked for the BGT Series in Australia, there was expectation he would be a big match player. The scores he produced were below par. And even before the IPL began, there were rumours Gujarat Titans could remove him as captain. That did not happen.

Most of the juicy news in Indian cricket is hearsay or planted. Assuming Gill becomes Test captain when the announcement is made official by the BCCI, the next logical question will be who becomes his deputy. Jasprit Bumrah was the deputy to Rohit Sharma in Australia. He led in the first and fifth Tests but his back breakdown has ruled him out for leadership roles. He has to be preserved as a bowler. Yes, he is very valuable for Indian cricket.

So, who will be the deputy to Gill is the question which begs an answer. For those who follow cricket and politics, there are camps divided. One wants KL Rahul to become the deputy while Rishabh Pant cannot be ignored. Unless, Gambhir again plays politics. It is well-known, Gambhir was vocal when the Champions Trophy was played in Dubai. The statements from the coach praising KL Rahul as wicket-keeper-batter were pronounced, as if Pant was a liability.

Pant kept quiet. He has not had a great run in the IPL 2025 as well and people are pointing at Lucknow Super Giants spending Rs 27 crores on purchasing him at the auction. No player is valued just because of auction price. If anything, LSG boss Sanjeev Goenka has been supportive of Pant, despite the lows.

Anyone who confuses Pant the wicket-keeper-batter in the IPL, T20 and Tests will be making a mistake. The experience which Pant has in Tests is rich and he has been very valuable to each captain. It is well-known, on the stump mic, Pant keeps chatting and provides inputs to the bowlers and captain. What Pant showed in the final Test in Australia was defining in Sydney. He took body blows and batted in both the innings. If the yardstick is red ball cricket, Pant deserves to be Test vice-captain.

For those who say Pant throws his wicket, judge him as a wicket-keeper and how he does glovework. There has been no shortcoming in that. There should be no lack of clarity regarding Pant as a batter in England as well. He has played good knocks and can handle the conditions well, if the fast bowlers are in full cry.

In the last tour to England, Pant did well, scoring 146 runs in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston. There have been many more gutsy efforts as well from Pant against England. He cannot be overlooked now as deputy to Shubman Gill.