Ajit Agarkar Backs Rishabh Pant to Remain Central to India’s Test Plans Despite Leadership and ODI Setbacks

Guwahati, May 2026 : Chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday offered a detailed defence of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s position in India’s Test setup, stressing that the management still views him as one of the most important players in the longest format despite recent changes in his leadership role and his omission from the ODI squad.

Pant, 28, has been removed as vice-captain of India’s Test team, with KL Rahul taking over the role, and has also been left out of the ODI squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The decisions have sparked widespread discussion, given Pant’s status as one of India’s most impactful modern Test batters.

However, Agarkar was firm that these changes do not reflect any decline in Pant’s importance to the Test side. Instead, he described the decisions as part of a broader restructuring aimed at long-term planning and format-specific balance.

Speaking at a virtual press conference after announcing the squad, Agarkar said the selection panel’s priority remains to help Pant evolve further as a Test specialist.

“I mean, Rishabh is an incredible Test player. Obviously, he is not part of the one-day squad at the moment. We want him to become the best Test player that he has always been. I don’t think there is any concern with his spot in the Test team. I think he is one of our main batters in that line-up,” Agarkar said.

Pant has been one of India’s most influential match-winners in Test cricket over the past few years, particularly overseas, where his aggressive counter-attacking style has helped India secure memorable victories. Despite this, his recent inconsistency in white-ball cricket and questions around leadership in franchise cricket have contributed to the selectors re-evaluating his role in limited-overs formats.

Agarkar, however, insisted that Pant remains firmly in India’s Test plans.

“So no, not… I mean, I am sure he would like a few more runs. But he has always been very good in Test cricket. So, not as far as Test cricket is concerned. At this point, yes, we have gone with two different options in one-day cricket. But in Test cricket, he remains one of our main players,” he added.

Leadership Restructuring: KL Rahul Elevated as Test Vice-Captain

One of the key changes in the squad is KL Rahul replacing Pant as vice-captain in the Test format. Rahul, who has previously led India in Test matches, brings significant leadership experience, which Agarkar said will be valuable in managing contingencies such as injuries or absences of the captain.

Explaining the rationale, Agarkar said the decision was based on experience and tactical flexibility rather than any demotion of Pant.

“I mean, KL has been a Test captain before. Obviously, Rishabh was the vice-captain, and we want him to be the best batter that he can be, and that he has always been in Test cricket,” Agarkar said.

He added that leadership depth is crucial in modern cricket, especially with workload management and injuries increasingly affecting availability.

“In case, we saw during the South African series as well, when Shubman got injured, KL provides us with the necessary experience that you need in case the situation arises,” he explained.

“Plus, he has obviously had a really good tour of England and against the West Indies and has lots of experience.”

The selectors believe Rahul’s calm approach and familiarity with leadership responsibilities will help ensure stability if captain Shubman Gill is unavailable for any reason.

ODI Omission: Ishan Kishan’s Return and Pant’s Form Concerns

Pant’s exclusion from the ODI squad has been another major talking point. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been recalled to the side after strong performances in the IPL 2026 season, where he has been among the standout batters for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Kishan’s return comes at the expense of both Pant and Dhruv Jurel, marking a significant shift in India’s white-ball wicketkeeping options.

While Agarkar did not directly criticise Pant’s ODI performances, he made it clear that selection decisions in white-ball cricket are currently being driven by form, consistency, and role clarity within the squad.

The move also reflects India’s broader approach of testing multiple combinations ahead of future global tournaments, particularly the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Jadeja Rested, Spin Strategy Focused on Transition and Depth Building

Agarkar also addressed the exclusion of senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the Test squad, clarifying that it was a planned rest rather than a permanent exclusion.

“I think Jadeja has just been rested for this Test. He is aware of it. He still remains a very integral part of the Test team,” he said.

The chief selector stressed that Jadeja continues to be India’s first-choice spinner in Test cricket and that his absence is purely part of workload management.

“With regards to Test, he remains our number one spinner. It’s only this Test that we have not picked him or rested him rather,” Agarkar added.

However, Jadeja’s absence from the ODI setup also signals a broader transition phase in India’s white-ball structure. Axar Patel has similarly been left out of the ODI squad, with selectors opting to introduce younger options such as Harsh Dubey.

Agarkar said this is part of a long-term evaluation process.

“With regards to one-day cricket, with 15–16 months left for that World Cup, we want to assess what our options are, particularly keeping in mind conditions in South Africa, and give a little bit of exposure to some of the newer guys,” he said.

“We know what Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel can do, and this is the time we try to give opportunities to some of the other guys.”

Emerging Talent and Bowling Restructuring

The selection panel has also placed significant emphasis on strengthening India’s pace and spin reserves. Young left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been included in both Test and ODI discussions as part of the transition strategy.

On the pace front, Agarkar addressed questions regarding Mohammed Shami’s absence from the national setup since India’s Champions Trophy campaign. He clarified that fitness and readiness remain key considerations.

“I mean, no, because as far as we have been told, at this point, his body is allowing him to. At this point, T20 cricket is what he is sort of ready for,” Agarkar said.

He also acknowledged domestic standout Auqib Nabi, who took 60 wickets in a historic Ranji Trophy season for Jammu and Kashmir.

“Auqib Nabi has had some incredible performances. There is always a chat around that. He was close, but at this point, we have gone with the three seamers we picked,” he noted.

Injury Management and Workload Monitoring

Agarkar confirmed that apart from Jadeja’s rest, there are no significant injury concerns in the squad.

“No, I can’t think of anyone else. Bumrah is obviously getting his workload up. Hopefully he will be back when we tour England,” he said.

IPL Coordination and Medical Oversight

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia also clarified the board’s approach to player fitness during the IPL, explaining the shared responsibility between franchises and national medical staff.

“Franchisees take care of injuries and fitness during the IPL. Our physios also monitor them,” Saikia said.

He added that while the board maintains oversight, direct intervention during the IPL remains limited, with final assessments conducted before national selection.

Conclusion: A Transitional Phase with Long-Term Vision

The selection decisions underline a broader strategy focused on balancing experience with long-term planning. While Rishabh Pant’s immediate leadership role has been adjusted and his ODI position reassessed, the selectors have made it clear that he remains a central figure in India’s Test future.

With KL Rahul providing leadership backup, young players being introduced across formats, and senior players managed carefully for workload, India appear to be entering a structured transition phase aimed at sustaining performance across a demanding international calendar leading up to the 2027 World Cup and future Test cycles.

Team Maverick.