Rishabh Pant likely to lose leadership role in Test team amid IPL failures

Two terrible seasons with Lucknow Super Giants has put questions on Rishabh Pant's leadership credentials. Rumours suggest that BCCI top brass are considering removing him from the vice-captain's position in Test cricket.

In Short

• BCCI are mulling leadership changes in Indian Test team
• The board might take a relook at Rishabh Pant's leadership role
• Rishabh's outings with LSG have put doubts in the selectors' minds

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering removing Rishabh Pant from the role of vice-captain of the Indian Test team. News agency PTI reported the development on Sunday, May 17, ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ penultimate Indian Premier League match of the season.

The discussions are believed to have stemmed from Pant’s difficult stint at LSG over the last two years, where he has struggled to impress as a leader in T20 cricket. While his place in the Indian Test side as a wicketkeeper-batter remains secure, the national selectors’ meeting in Guwahati on May 19 could potentially lead to a major decision regarding his leadership role in the Indian setup.

“Indian cricket simply cannot afford to lose a batting match-winner like Rishabh. He has won and set up Test matches with his aggressive batting. There is a growing feeling among men who matter that whenever he has been entrusted with additional responsibility, he doesn't seem to make good decisions while batting,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“Giving him an opportunity to play freely could be foremost on the minds of the selection committee,” the source added.

It is understood that there is a growing feeling within the Indian cricket establishment that leadership responsibilities are not sitting comfortably with the 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter. It also hasn’t gone unnoticed that Pant struggled tactically when he captained India in the absence of Shubman Gill during a Test match against South Africa in Guwahati last November.

However, it needs to be mentioned that on his first assignment as the full-time vice-captain of the team, Pant had a fantastic outing with the bat in England, where he scored 479 runs from 4 matches. Pant braved a broken foot and continued to bat in one of the games, once again showcasing how committed he was to the team.

BUMRAH LIKELY TO REST vs AFGHANISTAN

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the Afghanistan series is pending approval from the BCCI medical board. If the BCCI medical team is fine with Jasprit Bumrah's workload, then the senior pacer will play the one-off Test against Hashmatullah Shahidi's side.

"If the medical team appoves Bumrah's workload is under permissible limits, he might play the Test match against Afghanistan.

"But there is no chance of him playing the ODI series. If there is slightest issue with his workload, he will be rested for the full series," said the BCCI source privy to developments.

- Ends