Surprise spread fast when Rishabh Pant missed out on the vice-captain tag for India’s lone Test against Afghanistan. At announcement time, KL Rahul stood next to Shubman Gill in the hierarchy, leaving behind what fans assumed was Rishabh Pant’s lasting spot at the leadership's edge.

Now, people everywhere are talking, fans, analysts, all because of what happened with Pant. He happens to be one of India’s biggest names in Test cricket, so it stirs things up. Things got louder once his form dipped, especially after that rough IPL season in 2026. On top of that, voices grew sharper about how he chose certain shots when India lost the last Test series to South Africa.

Gautam Gambhir emphasises performance and match awareness

Before the Afghanistan match began, Gautam Gambhir spoke about the matter - his first public comment. He did not point fingers at Rishabh Pant directly, yet stressed that results matter more than roles within the squad. What a player brings on the field outweighs any label they carry. Recognition follows output, not the reverse. The weight of a title means little if impact fades. Consistency shapes value, regardless of position.

A top ex-Indian batsman says wearing the national jersey must always come first for any cricketer, even if they’re not officially leading the team.

Performance first, titles follow - Gambhir made that clear. He saw deputy roles as something that comes along only when standards stay high. Each person tied to the team, whether playing or guiding from behind, faces review based on outcomes. Results shape reputations, he said, across the board.

Also Read: India vs Afghanistan Test: Predicted XI, key selection calls and the road to redemption

Not once did the India coach entertain the idea of reshaping Pant’s instinctive approach. What mattered more, he said, was reading how games unfold - then shifting gears when needed.

Rishabh Pant wins trust through bold hitting and moments that shift matches. Still, Gambhir sees something deeper - sensing how the pitch behaves matters just as much. What works depends heavily on timing, not just power. Success often follows those who watch closely. Moments unfold differently under pressure. Reading the moment shapes decisions more than instinct alone.

Still, the coach insisted players keep using what they do best. Yet, knowing how the game unfolds matters just as much - be it in Tests, ODIs, or even T20Is.

Team management backs Rishabh Pant despite leadership change

Not far off, India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stepped into the conversation. He stood by Pant, saying the shift was met with maturity.

It's not just about a label, says ten Doeschate, conversations with Gambhir made that clear. Even without the badge, Pant still shapes thinking inside the team space. What matters is how someone speaks up when it counts. His presence carries weight, regardless of position. Leadership shows up in moments, not mandates. Those chats helped frame what real impact looks like.

What stood out was how Pant carried himself, full of spark, the kind that shifts the room without trying. His presence, noticed by the ex-Dutch star, didn’t just add value on the field; it changed the air in the dressing area.

Ten Doeschate backed what Gambhir said about how Pant plays his shots. Not that anyone doubts his spark behind the stumps - sharp, sudden, electric, yet slowing down sometimes might just fit better with how matches unfold.

Still, the coaches back Rishabh Pant’s aggressive style, seeing it as key to his edge. They’re keen on keeping what makes him a threat, rather than pulling him back.

Right now, it’s what Pant does that speaks louder than anything he says.
Even without the deputy role, the player hasn’t raised concerns. His attention stays fixed on finding rhythm again, supporting India’s recovery following a rough patch in Tests.

Rishabh Pant still carries that weight, even as India searches for rhythm again beneath Gambhir’s guidance. Not the name on the marquee anymore, yet what people hope to see hasn’t shifted one bit.

When the Afghanistan Test nears, talk of captains fades. Instead, eyes turn to the pitch - where Pant speaks loudest through strokes and timing.