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Rishabh Pant-led India are in a must-win situation after losing the opening match by 30 runs inside three days.
Rishabh Pant will become India’s 38th Test captain. (PTI Photo)
Although stand-in captain Rishabh Pant did not officially announce who would replace the injured Shubman Gill in India’s playing XI for the second Test against South Africa, he confirmed that the selected players have been duly informed.
When asked if a right-hander might be included in light of off-spinner Simon Harmer’s presence in the opposition line-up, Pant said: “We have taken that into consideration because we have a lot of left-handers in the batting line-up.
“Mostly we have made a decision, and the person who is going to play already knows he is going to play.”
Captaincy is never a bed of roses, and Pant faced some probing questions about his tactical decisions on the third day of the first Test when he had to stand in for an injured Gill.
He did not give the ball to Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah on a deteriorating pitch where variable bounce would have made them more dangerous.
Temba Bavuma scored a fifty, and the runs added in the morning when Pant introduced spinners became decisive.
When asked if he could have made different strategic calls, the burly keeper acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with the role.
“Going with a spinner was our thought process, but there was always a chance to bring in a fast bowler. However, that is the challenge of being a captain; you will be questioned every day.
“But in the end, you must do what you believe is right at that moment and trust that the person with the ball will do the job for the team.”
With PTI Inputs
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
November 21, 2025, 16:06 IST
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