Rishabh Pant doesn’t need a title to lead, he’s in a great mood: India coach
As the midday sun beat down on the scorching New Chandigarh Stadium on Thursday, the Indian cricket team’s training focus was on a familiar, explosive figure. Just a few days ago, Rishabh Pant looked like a man carrying the weight of a broken world. He was visibly shaken towards the end of the bloody IPL 2026 campaign, an emotional outpouring that culminated in a packed post-game slot. The outburst, tellingly, came just hours after the national selectors announced the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and revealed that Pant had been dropped as vice-captain.
Still, if the outside world expected a sulking superstar in transition, Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was quick to dispel the narrative. Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s intense training block, the former Netherlands captain gave the definitive angle on where the dynamic southpaw stands: Pant doesn’t need an official label to lead.
“I don’t think you need a formal title to be a leader. With such a new set-up, I think Rishabh understands that and is committed to being a good role model and senior player,” Doeschate said.
“He was in a great mood. He is always one of those guys who is happy and cheerful and drives the team spirit. We have no complaints from him. You wouldn’t notice that his role in the team has changed. No worries about Rishabh.”
IT’S BRILLIANT: DOESCHATE
Ten Doeschate’s most compelling revelation was not just about Pant’s physical sharpness in the nets, but the remarkable social dynamics that played out on the park. The assistant coach noted that he spent time watching Pant and newly appointed captain Shubman Gill in deep tactical conversation.
“I actually heard him and Shubman talk yesterday about that — how you want to act like an older player and expand the communication about how you’re going to play,” he said.
However, Ten Doeschate noted that the wicket-keeper batsman will be looking to work on his game, especially when it comes to mastering his natural instincts to suit different situations.
“He’s great. We don’t want to take away from him all the things he does. At times, if he can adjust his game to play the situation a little bit more, then that’s something you’ll see him work on.”
deal with decisions, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the removal of the vice-captain was not a punitive measure but rather a strategic move designed to free the dynamic Southpaw. The ultimate goal of management is to help Pant focus solely on his batting and unlock his absolute match-winner ceiling.
“Rishabh is an incredible Test player. Obviously, he is not part of the ODI squad at the moment,” Agarkar said, underscoring the clarity of their current vision for him. “We want him to become the best Test player he’s always been. I don’t think there’s any concern about his place in the Test team.”
The disdain for management doesn’t really reflect a loss of faith in Pant’s red-ball value.
Even after battling injury during England’s previous Test series, Pant enjoyed a sensational 2025 season in red-ball cricket. In seven matches and 13 innings, he plundered 629 runs at an elite average of 48.38, while striking at a blistering 77.75. This stellar run included two magnificent centuries during the Leeds Test against England, alongside four half-centuries. These staggering numbers are the ultimate proof of why the team management considers him an indispensable pillar of the Test side, regardless of his white-ball status.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
04 Jun 2026 15:09 IST