India head coach Gautam Gambhir has spoken publicly for the first time about Rishabh Pant losing his role as Test vice-captain. The wicketkeeper-batter was replaced by KL Rahul when India's squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan was announced.
The decision surprised many fans and sparked discussion about Pant’s position in the team leadership group. The change came after India’s recent Test series defeat against South Africa, where the team lost 0-2.
Pant faced criticism for some of his decisions with the bat during that series. His dismissal in the second Test in Guwahati drew attention after he played an aggressive shot at a crucial stage of the match.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Afghanistan Test, Gambhir said leadership titles are secondary to performance and contribution to the team.
“Responsibility is only for playing for India. The rest of everything else is a by-product,” Gambhir said.
He added that players should focus on helping India succeed rather than on leadership positions. According to Gambhir, every member of the team, including players and support staff, is ultimately judged by performance.
The India coach also made it clear that the management does not want Pant to change his natural style of play.
“As far as Rishabh is concerned, we will expect him to be the way he is,” Gambhir said.
However, he stressed that international cricket requires players to understand the demands of different situations during a match.
“It is very important to play the situation. It is important to read the situation,” he said, adding that players must decide which shots are appropriate based on the needs of the team at a given moment.
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Gambhir noted that the goal remains the same across all formats of the game. Players must find ways to score runs and help the team win without completely moving away from their natural strengths.
The discussion around Pant’s role also continued on Thursday when assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the issue. He said Pant had accepted the change professionally and had held honest conversations with Gambhir.
“I don't think you need a formal title to be a leader in a setup like this,” ten Doeschate said.
The assistant coach praised Pant’s positive attitude and influence within the squad. He said the wicketkeeper remains an important senior player and continues to contribute to the team's environment.
Ten Doeschate also echoed Gambhir’s view that Pant can become even more effective by adapting his approach to match situations when required.
He said the team management values Pant’s attacking style and does not want to take away the qualities that make him a special player.
According to the assistant coach, there have been no complaints from Pant following the leadership change. He added that Pant remains cheerful and continues to play a key role in maintaining team spirit.
The focus now shifts to India's upcoming Test against Afghanistan, where Pant will look to make an impact with the bat and strengthen his place in the side through performance.
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