What decision BCCI is likely to take about Rishabh Pant ahead of home series against Afghanistan?
BCCI on Rishabh Pant: The final of the IPL 2026 is scheduled to be played on May 31st. After that, the Indian team will play a Test match at home against Afghanistan starting June 6, followed by a three-match ODI series starting June 14. All eyes are on this series.
The Afghanistan cricket team is scheduled to tour India next month to play the India cricket team. In March 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the fixtures for the tour, as part of the 2026 home international season.
Selection committee is scheduled to meet on June 19
The Indian cricket team's selection committee is scheduled to meet on June 19 for this series. During this meeting, it is almost certain that the future of several Indian players in the team will be discussed. In this context, the name of India's Test wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, is also being discussed. Pant currently serves as the vice-captain of Team India. Meanwhile, there are talks of resting Jasprit Bumrah from this series due to workload management.
According to several media reports, the BCCI may relieve Rishabh Pant of the Test vice-captaincy ahead of India's home series against Afghanistan. It is being reported that the selectors feel the additional responsibility of captaincy is impacting Pant's batting form and decision-making abilities.
Pant is a match-winning player in the Test format
Rishabh Pant is captaining the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. During this period, he has been a failure in both batting and captaincy. This is why he may have to bear the brunt of this performance in Team India as well. A source within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that Rishabh Pant is a match-winning player in the Test format, and the board is reluctant to risk losing him.
According to a BCCI source, Pant has led Team India to victory in many matches with his aggressive batting. In such a situation, he could be asked to step back from the vice-captaincy and focus solely on batting. If he focuses solely on batting, it will be beneficial for the team.
Will Bumrah be rested for the Afghanistan series?
Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for one Test match against Afghanistan. The reason behind this is workload management. However, the final decision will be made only after an examination by the BCCI medical team. The examination will reveal whether he is suffering from any underlying health issues. If so, then he will certainly be rested. If there are no physical issues, it is still possible that he will rest during the series against Afghanistan.