Rishabh Pant loses India Test vice-captaincy to KL Rahul and dropped from ODIs for IND vs AFG series 2026

His poor IPL form and LSG's last-place finish contributed to the selectors' decision. KL Rahul has been named as the new Test vice-captain. Rishabh Pant stripped of vice-captaincy and ODI spot as KL Rahul steps up Rishabh Pant has paid dearly for one of the most underwhelming IPL campaigns of his career, as BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee have removed Pant from the vice-captaincy role ahead of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, handing the position to KL Rahul instead.

The decision ends a chapter that began with Pant deputising for Shubman Gill during India's painful home Test series defeat against South Africa. Lucknow Super Giants, captained by Pant throughout IPL 2026, finished the tournament at the very bottom of the ten-team standings. Pant's own batting numbers did little to argue his case, with the left-hander managing only 251 runs from 12 innings.

While selectors have made clear that Pant remains a vital part of India's Test plans owing to his attacking instincts and ability to turn a game single-handedly, the combination of poor form and a struggling franchise has cost him the deputy's armband. Meanwhile, Rahul is currently enjoying another productive IPL season, surpassing 500 runs and providing the kind of consistency and composure that selectors value in a deputy. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series entirely, he was never a candidate for the vice-captaincy, leaving Rahul as the clear and logical choice.

MORE: India squad for Afghanistan Test and ODI series 2026: Full team lists India squad for Afghanistan Test and ODI series 2026 – Full list India Test squad for Afghanistan series Shubman Gill (Captain) Yashasvi Jaiswal KL Rahul (Vice-Captain) Sai Sudharsan Rishabh Pant Devdutt Padikkal Nitish Kumar Reddy Washington Sundar Kuldeep Yadav Mohammed Siraj Prasidh Krishna Manav Suthar Gurnoor Brar Harsh Dubey Dhruv Jurel India ODI squad for Afghanistan series Shubman Gill (Captain) Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain) KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper) Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper) Hardik Pandya Nitish Kumar Reddy Washington Sundar Kuldeep Yadav Arshdeep Singh Prasidh Krishna Prince Yadav Gurnoor Brar Harsh Dubey MORE: CSK's IPL 2026 playoff chances: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required The Cricket News Opinion: Pant must respond after receiving warning signs Selectors have been careful not to write Pant off entirely, and that is the right call. In Test cricket, he remains one of India's most dangerous and irreplaceable match-winners. But in limited-overs formats, reputation alone cannot protect a spot in the squad indefinitely.