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Rishabh Pant Axed: Indian Team Selection Sparks Social Media Frenzy

Ethan Arora · · 4 min read

A Major Shift in Indian Cricket Selection

The Indian Men’s Senior National Selection Committee recently announced the squad compositions for the upcoming one-off Test and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. While the announcement brought excitement for several rising stars, the headlines were dominated by the notable exclusion of Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been a central figure in the Indian setup for years, has been dropped from the ODI squad and removed from his position as the vice-captain of the Test team.

The Impact of IPL 2026 Form

The primary catalyst for this decision appears to be Pant’s recent dip in form during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Currently serving as the captain for the Lucknow Super Giants, Pant has faced a challenging campaign, with the team failing to secure a spot in the playoffs. Selectors have evidently weighed these performances heavily, opting to move in a different direction for the upcoming international assignments.

This shift reflects the committee’s increasing focus on current domestic form and the need for fresh tactical approaches in the international arena. The decision to remove him from the Test vice-captaincy role further underscores a desire for a leadership reset within the longest format of the game.

Reflecting on Recent Performance and Statistics

Pant’s journey in the national team over the past year has been turbulent. His tenure as the Test vice-captain, which began when he stepped in for an injured Shubman Gill during the South Africa series in November 2025, resulted in a difficult 0-2 whitewash. That series outcome, combined with his lack of playing time in the 50-over format—he has not featured in an ODI since August 2024—made his position increasingly precarious.

Furthermore, Pant has not been a part of the T20I selection plans, signaling that his place across all formats has been under intense scrutiny by the management.

Social Media Reactions: The ‘Downfall’ Narrative

The news hit social media platforms like X almost instantly, triggering a deluge of reactions from cricket fans. Many supporters used the term ‘downfall’ to describe the trajectory of Pant’s recent career. The digital discourse has been highly polarized, with various perspectives emerging:

  • Support for Change: Some fans praised the BCCI‘s decision, viewing the move as a necessary step to rejuvenate the team’s leadership and performance standards.
  • Critical Views: Others expressed disbelief, with some suggesting that the removal from the vice-captaincy was an indirect way of phasing him out of the ODI scheme of things entirely.
  • Speculation: Rumors regarding internal team dynamics and the influence of the coaching staff on these selection calls have dominated the comments sections.

One fan noted, “Rishabh got stripped of Test vice-captaincy and they covered it up by dropping him from the ODI squad,” while others argued that he was “damn unlucky” to miss out on the ODI setup entirely.

A New Era for the Indian Squad

Despite the focus on Pant, the selection announcement also highlighted the rise of new talent. The inclusion of players like Gurnoor, Prince, and Harsh Dubey in the squads signals a clear commitment from the selection committee to integrate high-tempo bowlers and young prospects into the national setup. These selections emphasize that the Indian team is looking toward the future, prioritizing players who demonstrate the ability to adapt to modern game demands.

As the Afghanistan series approaches, the spotlight will inevitably be on how the new-look squad performs under these leadership adjustments. For Rishabh Pant, the path back to the national team will require a significant turnaround in his domestic performance and a renewed focus on his technical consistency. The cricketing world will be watching closely to see how he navigates this challenging chapter in his professional career.

Stay tuned for more updates and detailed analysis as the series against Afghanistan draws nearer.

Ethan Arora

Ethan Arora is a senior editor and long-form cricket writer for ESPNcricinfo. Based in Karachi, he has covered Pakistan cricket and global tournaments for over two decades, contributing to publications such as The Cricket Monthly, Dawn, and The Guardian. His work often explores the intersection of cricket, politics, and culture in South Asia, with a particular focus on fast bowling history, Test cricket narratives, and the internal dynamics of the Pakistan dressing room. Samiuddin is also the editor of The Unquiet Ones: A History of Pakistan Cricket, widely regarded as one of the definitive books on the subject. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he is known for marrying American long-form journalism techniques with the rich oral traditions of the subcontinent. Follow him for sharp match analysis, player profiles, and behind-the-scenes features from ICC events and Pakistan Super League coverage.