Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned the decision to remove Rishabh Pant as India’s Test vice captain ahead of the one off Test against Afghanistan, saying the wicketkeeper batter has done little wrong in red ball cricket to deserve such a move.
Pant was widely seen as one of the future leaders of India’s Test side. He was appointed vice captain during the England tour last year and even led the team in a Test against South Africa when regular skipper Shubman Gill was unavailable. Those decisions had strongly suggested that the team management was grooming Pant for a long term leadership role.
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However, the selectors opted to make a change for the Afghanistan Test and brought experienced batter KL Rahul back into the leadership group. The decision has sparked debate among fans and former cricketers, with many questioning why Pant lost the role despite his strong Test record.
Speaking on the matter, Kaif felt Pant’s poor IPL 2026 campaign may have played a role in the selectors’ thinking. Pant struggled for consistency with both the bat and as captain during the tournament, but Kaif insisted that franchise cricket and Test cricket should not be judged on the same scale.
“Rishabh Pant has not done anything wrong. Red ball and white ball cricket are two very different formats,” Kaif said while reacting to the decision.
“You are judging him based on the IPL, saying that he is not doing a good job as captain, that his team is losing, and that he is not scoring runs. But I believe there is no bigger match winner for India in Tests, as a batter, than Rishabh Pant,” he added.
Kaif also pointed to Pant’s outstanding performances overseas over the years, including his memorable innings at the Gabba against Australia and crucial knocks in England and South Africa. According to him, those performances should matter far more than a few disappointing weeks in the IPL.
The former India batter also questioned the consistency in selection policies and compared Pant’s situation with veteran pacer Mohammed Shami.
“KL Rahul is 34 years old. On one hand, you do not pick Mohammed Shami, saying that age is not on his side and that you are looking at younger players. So, I would want them to be consistent,” Kaif said.
“Either go by form, regardless of age, and if you are scoring runs or taking wickets, you should get picked. Because I think Rishabh Pant deserved to continue as vice captain,” he added.
India are currently going through a transition phase in Test cricket, and every leadership decision is being closely watched. While Rahul’s experience adds stability to the side, Pant’s removal as vice captain has once again raised questions over India’s long term leadership planning in the longest format.