Rishabh Pant bounces back to Test cricket after a tough IPL 2026 season, aiming to reclaim his spot as India's main batter.
For twenty minutes, he engaged in catching drills and playful exercises at the primary venue before heading to the secondary ground for batting practice.
Facing local spinners, he emphasized defensive strokes, stepping forward with a big stride to block deliveries right in front of his face. Occasionally, he broke his usual pattern by hitting over the bowler’s head, with one shot clearing the fence and landing in the nearby dump yard.
Test cricket remains Pant’s strongest format despite T20 appeal
Despite his extensive array of traditional and unconventional shots making him seemingly ideal for T20s, Pant has always felt most comfortable in Test cricket. Since his debut in 2018, no Indian batter has amassed more runs than him, and only Ravindra Jadeja has matched his 26 scores of fifty or more. Many argue he could be the greatest wicketkeeper-batter Test cricket has ever produced.
Struggles in IPL 2026 and captaincy challenges
After a disappointing IPL season, Pant had trained under Yuvraj Singh in preparation for the tournament, hoping to elevate his game. Yet, in a season where scoring rates soared to new heights, he managed just 312 runs at a strike rate of 138.05. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) coach Justin Langer defended him by pointing to his Test performances, saying, "We've seen him in Test cricket destroy teams at No. 5."
Position shuffle and captaincy pressure in IPL
Pant started IPL 2026 as an opener but lasted only one game before moving to No. 3, then vacating that spot for Nicholas Pooran, and dropping to No. 4. In the final match, he batted at No. 5. Such frequent changes are acceptable for regular players but not for a captain. LSG began strongly with two wins in three games but won only two more from the remaining eleven, finishing last. Pant mentioned having too many voices in the dressing room on multiple occasions.
Pant's emotional toll and resignation as LSG captain
Langer tried to support him, stating after a defeat, "As a captain in the IPL, you got to keep fronting up, don't you? He knows he is carrying a lot of pressure for the team, and he does it with a smile on his face 98% of the time." Pant’s naturally cheerful demeanor faded as losses piled up, with his post-match smiles becoming forced and replies ending in awkward chuckles. After LSG’s ninth defeat in thirteen games, he snapped, saying, "We are a f***ing good team." He continued to lead but resigned from captaincy once the campaign ended.
White-ball struggles and exclusion from recent squads
Pant has yet to find his ideal template in white-ball cricket, having last played a T20I nearly two years ago during India’s 2024 tour of Sri Lanka. His latest ODI was also on that tour. Earlier this year, he was named as a backup to KL Rahul for the home ODIs against New Zealand but withdrew due to a side strain on the eve of the first match. For the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, he was dropped in favor of Ishan Kishan.
Focus shifts back to Test cricket and leadership role
In red-ball cricket, Pant served as India’s vice-captain, even leading the team in Shubman Gill’s absence during the recent Test against South Africa in Guwahati last November. Currently, he is the second-most experienced player in the squad after Rahul. However, while going through his IPL ordeal, the national selectors removed him as vice-captain. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained, "We want him to become the best Test player that he has always been."
Pant's future plans and adjustments in Test approach
Pant stepped down from the LSG captaincy primarily to concentrate on refining his batting. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate revealed a recent conversation between Pant and head coach Gautam Gambhir about conducting himself as a senior player, including communication and adapting his game to situations. "With Rishabh's brilliance, we don't want to take away all the stuff he does, but occasionally if he can adjust his game to play the situation slightly more - that is something you will see him work on."
Recent Test accolades and Afghanistan showdown
Despite his IPL struggles, Pant earned major recognition for his Test performances last year, scoring 479 runs at an average of 68.43 on England’s tour, which earned him a place among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year. With India facing Afghanistan in a one-off Test, Pant has another opportunity to reaffirm his status as a dominant force in Test cricket.