Guwahati, India – Rishabh Pant's captaincy debut in the ongoing Test series against South Africa has sparked debate among former Indian cricketers, following India's defeat in the first Test and Pant's unconventional field settings on the first day of the second Test in Guwahati. With Shubman Gill ruled out due to a neck injury sustained during the Kolkata Test, Pant was thrust into the leadership role, marking his first time captaining India in Test cricket.
The decision to appoint Pant as captain came as a surprise to some, especially with India already trailing in the two-match series. Former Indian cricketers Anil Kumble and Aakash Chopra have openly questioned Pant's tactics and mindset during the second Test in Guwahati.
Kumble expressed his bewilderment at Pant's defensive field placements, particularly on the leg side, stating, "On the leg side, an ODI field has been set. It is the first session of Day 1, and even then there is a deep square leg, long on and deep midwicket,". Chopra echoed these sentiments, questioning the logic behind having a fielder at mid-wicket and long-on without a short leg. "There is a fielder at mid-wicket, there is a long-on as well, there is no short leg, what is the plan here? Even guesswork will be failed here," Chopra said.
Pant's captaincy has come under scrutiny particularly for his decision to start with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test. This move allowed South Africa to score crucial runs, contributing to India's 30-run loss at Eden Gardens.
Despite the criticism, Pant has acknowledged the challenges and scrutiny that come with captaincy. "That's the challenge of being a captain. You know every day that you're going to be questioned," Pant stated. He has emphasized his intent to blend conventional strategies with out-of-the-box thinking, trusting his instincts while maintaining a balanced approach.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who has worked closely with Pant at Delhi Capitals, believes Pant's experience as a wicketkeeper and his IPL captaincy will help him adapt to the pressures of Test leadership. Ponting acknowledged the difficulty of stepping in as a stop-gap captain after a Test loss but expressed confidence in Pant's ability to handle the situation. "It's never easy to come in and fill in for someone as a stopgap captain, especially when you've just lost a Test match a few days before," Ponting said.
Pant himself has admitted that captaining in a one-off Test is not the ideal scenario, but he remains focused on the task at hand. "One-off match is not the best scenario for a captain, but I am thankful to the BCCI for giving me this honour," Pant said. He has also praised Shubman Gill's resilience and determination, noting that Gill was keen to play despite his injury.
As India look to level the series in Guwahati, Pant's captaincy will be crucial. The team needs a win to avoid a home series defeat against South Africa. While Pant's initial tactics have been questioned, his leadership and ability to learn and adapt will be key factors in determining India's success in the ongoing Test.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul is likely to be named as captain for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, with Rishabh Pant as a possible deputy. Shubman Gill is expected to miss the ODI series due to his neck injury.
