Chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday, 19 May reaffirmed the selection panel's full confidence in wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a Test cricket cornerstone, even as the 28-year-old was stripped of the Test vice-captaincy and dropped from India's ODI squad ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Guwahati. Speaking at a virtual press conference, Agarkar said the panel's singular desire is for Pant 'to become the best Test player that he has always been.'

Why Pant Lost the Vice-Captaincy and ODI Spot

KL Rahul has been named Test vice-captain in place of Pant, while Ishan Kishan — fresh off a stellar IPL 2026 campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad and a T20 World Cup winner's medal — has taken Pant's place in the 50-over squad. Selectors cited Pant's underwhelming white-ball form as the primary reason for the ODI exclusion. Questions over his leadership credentials have also surfaced, with his franchise Lucknow Super Giants rooted to the bottom of the IPL 2026 points table.

'I mean, Rishabh is an incredible Test player. He is not part of the one-day squad at the moment. We want him to become the best Test player that he has always been. I don't think there is any concern with his spot in the Test team,' Agarkar said. He added that Pant 'had a really good tour of England till he got injured' and remains 'one of our main batters' in the Test line-up.

KL Rahul's Experience the Deciding Factor

Agarkar explained that Rahul's prior Test captaincy experience — he has led India in three Tests — made him the logical choice as deputy to Shubman Gill. The selector recalled how Rahul's availability proved critical when Gill was injured during the South Africa series, and argued that continuity of experienced leadership cover remains essential. 'Futuristic, I mean, that's the best option we think at this point that we have as far as vice-captain with experience,' he said.

Jadeja Rested, Dubey Gets His Chance

Left-arm spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested for the Afghanistan Test after picking up a knee niggle, sustained around Rajasthan Royals' five-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in New Delhi on Sunday. Harsh Dubey has been handed a call-up to both the Test and ODI squads. Agarkar was emphatic that Jadeja's absence is a one-off: 'He still remains a very integral part of the Test team. It's only this Test that we have not picked him — rested him, rather.' Similarly, Axar Patel has been left out of the ODI squad, with selectors using the window to assess options ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, now roughly 15-16 months away.

Shami, Nabi, and the Pace Bowling Picture

Mohammed Shami, absent from the national set-up since India's 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, was reportedly not discussed during the selection meeting. Agarkar indicated that, based on available information, Shami's body is currently suited only to T20 cricket. Meanwhile, Auqib Nabi — who claimed 60 wickets for Jammu and Kashmir in a historic Ranji Trophy title run — was discussed and 'was close' to selection, but the selectors ultimately went with their chosen three seamers. 'There is no doubt, he has had some incredible performances for Jammu and Kashmir,' Agarkar acknowledged.

On Jasprit Bumrah, Agarkar confirmed the pace spearhead is building his workload and is expected to be available for the England tour.

BCCI on IPL Injury Monitoring

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia outlined the board's approach to managing centrally contracted players during the IPL. He said franchise physios carry primary responsibility for player fitness during the league, with the BCCI's Centre of Excellence staff monitoring workloads in parallel. 'We cannot interfere too much when the IPL is going on,' Saikia said, adding that the board exercises greater control when players are on national duty. Fitness levels are assessed afresh at the time of national team selection.

With the England Test series on the horizon, the selectors' handling of Pant's role — and how quickly Bumrah is reintegrated — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.