India Announce Test and ODI Squads for Afghanistan Series, KL Rahul Named Vice-Captain, Rishabh Pant Faces Setback

Guwahati: Rishabh Pant lost India’s Test vice-captaincy and his place in the ODI squad for the home series against Afghanistan after selectors took several major decisions during a meeting led by Ajit Agarkar on Tuesday. India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test in Mullanpur from June 6 and three ODIs from June 14 in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai. The selectors also included rookie spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey in the Test squad, while KL Rahul replaced Pant as Test vice-captain.

Rishabh Pant Removed as Test Vice-Captain

According to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, Pant’s poor form over the past six months resulted in him losing the Test vice-captaincy.

Pant, who has struggled in the IPL both as a batter and captain for Lucknow Super Giants, was replaced by KL Rahul as India’s Test vice-captain.

Pant was also left out of the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.

In the ODI squad, Ishan Kishan replaced Pant as the second wicketkeeper alongside KL Rahul.

India to Host Afghanistan in Test and ODI Series

India will host Afghanistan for:

• One-off Test match in Mullanpur from June 6
• Three ODIs from June 14

The ODI matches will be played in:

• Dharamsala
• Lucknow
• Chennai

The Test match will not be part of the World Test Championship cycle.

Ajit Agarkar Explains Decision on Pant

Ajit Agarkar said the selectors still consider Pant an important Test player.

He stated:

“Rishabh is an incredible Test player. He is not in the ODI team at the moment. We want him to become the best Test player that he can be.”

Agarkar further added:

“He had a really good tour of England till he got injured (toe fracture). I am sure he would like a few more runs but he has been very good in Test cricket.”

He also clarified that Pant remains one of India’s main Test players despite being left out of the ODI setup.

KL Rahul Named Vice-Captain for Experience

Agarkar said KL Rahul was selected as vice-captain because of his leadership experience.

According to Agarkar:

“KL has been Test captain before. Obviously, Rishabh was vice captain but we want him to be the best batter that he can be.”

He also cited Rahul’s performances in England and against West Indies, along with the experience he provided when Shubman Gill was injured in Kolkata.

New Spinners Included, Ravindra Jadeja Rested

The selectors inducted left-arm orthodox spinners:

• Manav Suthar
• Harsh Dubey

into the Test squad.

Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar, who has played only two Ranji Trophy matches this season, was also selected.

Agarkar clarified that Ravindra Jadeja has only been rested for the Test match to assess younger spin options.

He stated:

“Jadeja has just been rested for this Test. We are trying to give an opportunity to some of the others and he is aware of it.”

Agarkar added that Jadeja remains India’s No.1 spinner in Test cricket.

Axar Patel Dropped From Both Squads

Axar Patel was dropped from both the Test and ODI squads.

According to the report, Axar’s inability to turn the ball consistently and his declining batting form led to his exclusion.

Selectors are reportedly evaluating spin options ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

Selectors Back Nitish Kumar Reddy

Ajit Agarkar expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar Reddy and his all-round skills.

He said:

“The more he plays, better he will get. He will be a critical part of our team if he keeps developing.”

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya Included Subject to Fitness

Veterans Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were selected in the ODI squad subject to fitness.

Agarkar stated:

“May be in next two weeks, if we are told those two guys haven’t made it, we will take a call accordingly.”

India Test Squad

• 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

• Shubman Gill (captain)
• Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• KL Rahul (wk)
• Ishan Kishan (wk)
• Hardik Pandya
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Washington Sundar
• Harsh Dubey
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prasidh Krishna
• Prince Yadav
• Gurnoor Brar

India selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, removed Rishabh Pant as Test vice-captain and dropped him from the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series after his poor form over the past six months. KL Rahul was appointed Test vice-captain, while new spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey were included as selectors assessed future spin options beyond Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test in Mullanpur from June 6 and three ODIs from June 14 in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai.

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