Rishabh Pant did nothing wrong: Kaif lost the Test vice-captain to the wicketkeeper

Mohammed Kaif has criticized the BCCI and selectors’ decision to remove Rishabh Pant as vice-captain of the Indian Test team ahead of the Afghanistan series. Pant replaced KL Rahul as vice-captain and was left out of the white-ball squad.

Pant struggled when he captained Lucknow Super Giants this season as the team was knocked out of the tournament early, winning four of their 13 matches. While chief selector Ajit Agarkar said this Pant’s position in the red ball team is secureKaif was unhappy that the IPL wicketkeeper’s form was taken into account in his selection.

“Rishabh Pant has done nothing wrong. Red-ball cricket and white-ball cricket are two very different formats. You judge him on the basis of IPL and say that he is not doing a good job as a captain, that his team is losing and that he is not scoring. But I believe there is no bigger match winner for India in Tests as a batsman,” Rishab said.

Pant has scored 289 runs from 13 matches this season in the IPL at an average of 28.6.

‘BE CONSISTENT’

Kaif was unhappy with the lack of consistency shown by the selectors when it came to picking and dropping players from the roles. He pointed out how Mohammed Shami has been sidelined due to his agebut after that Rahul was made vice-captain.

“KL Rahul is 34 years old. On one hand, you don’t pick Mohammed Shami saying age is not on his side and you look at younger players. So I would like them to be consistent. Either follow form, regardless of age, and if you are scoring goals or taking wickets, you should be picked. Because I think Rishabh Pant deserves the captaincy.

India will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test and three ODIs. The Test will be played from June 6 to 10 and the ODIs will be played on June 14, 17 and 20.

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Published on:

20 May 2026 22:10 IST