Rishabh Pant's situation after losing Indian vice-captaincy and LSG captaincy
Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : The impending first red-ball Test for India against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh marks their first match after their captaincy was reshuffled with Rishabh Pant losing the Indian vice-captaincy role to Shubman Gill. Despite the changes, Pant remains one of the Indian Test team's most valuable assets.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been going through intense training ahead of the solitary Test in an attempt to rediscover form after a disappointing IPL stint. He's been under a lot of scrutiny lately and this may have even led him to relinquish the LSG captaincy.
In relation to Pant's situation assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stated: "I don't think you need a formal title to be a leader. With the new set-up like this, I think Rishabh understands that and he's committed to being a good role model and senior player. He's been in great spirits. He's always one of those guys who's happy and cheerful and drives the spirit in the team. We've got no complaints from him. You wouldn't notice that his role in the team has changed. No concerns about Rishabh." ten Doeschate added during his press conference.
The former Dutch captain did also reveal that Pant had spoken to his new captain Shubman Gill regarding leadership structure and how he was expected to perform: "I actually heard him and Shubman having a chat around that yesterday - how you want to conduct yourself as a senior player and extend communication as to how you're going to play." ten Doeschate declared.
Padikkal predicted to bat at three.
Early reports have indicated that Devdutt Padikkal is the favored candidate for the number three spot over Sai Sudharsan. Both players had phenomenal Indian Premier League tournaments, Sai scoring over 500 runs to finish third in the leading run-scorers chart but team management seem to believe that Padikkal is the man for the job currently, while Sudharsan did get his opportunities and couldn't justify them.
