Rishabh Pant Remains Integral to India's Test Plans, Says Coach
Coach Affirms Rishabh Pant's Role
Despite losing his vice-captaincy ahead of the upcoming Test against Afghanistan, Rishabh Pant is still considered a crucial player for India's red-ball strategy, according to assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. Pant's vice-captaincy was handed over to veteran KL Rahul, following a decline in his recent performance. Nevertheless, the Indian management continues to express confidence in Pant's abilities.
In a press briefing before the Test scheduled for June 6 in Mullanpur, ten Doeschate remarked, "A formal title isn't necessary for leadership in a setup like this. Rishabh understands this and is dedicated to being a positive influence and a senior player."
He added, "We want to preserve Rishabh's unique contributions. If he can adapt his game to suit different situations, that’s something we expect him to work on. He’s in great spirits, always cheerful, and boosts team morale. We have no issues with him, and you wouldn't even notice any change in his leadership role. We have complete faith in Rishabh and look forward to his performance."
Stability Needed at No. 3 Position
Ten Doeschate emphasized the importance of consistency in the batting lineup, particularly at the pivotal No. 3 position, as the team aims to establish a reliable Test combination.
"There have been numerous changes in that position, which is not ideal. It's crucial to identify a consistent player for that role, as it is both challenging and significant," he stated during the press conference. Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, India has tried various players at No. 3, including Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Washington Sundar, but none have secured a permanent spot.
Ten Doeschate mentioned that both Padikkal and Sudharsan are still in the running for the position, suggesting that whoever is selected will receive extended support.
"Dev [Devdutt Padikkal] has been scoring heavily in domestic cricket across formats, and Sai has had a strong IPL season with Gujarat, so both are in good form. The player chosen will be given time to settle in. However, with only one Test match now and a gap before the next series, we need to consider this carefully," he explained.
Challenges of Transitioning from IPL
As India prepares for the Afghanistan Test, the focus is also on helping players adjust from the fast-paced IPL to the longer format of the game. Several squad members, including captain Gill, Sudharsan, Padikkal, Washington Sundar, and Prasidh Krishna, participated in the IPL final just five days prior to the Test.
Ten Doeschate highlighted the difficulties of shifting from late-night T20 matches to early morning Test routines, noting that managing sleep has become a priority.
"Transitioning from playing in the IPL final at night to starting a Test match early in the morning in high temperatures presents a unique challenge. The players will tackle it as they always do. My role is to prepare them for what lies ahead, with sleep management being a top priority," he concluded.