Rishabh Pant is leading India in the ongoing second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati in Shubman Gill's absence. Gill suffered a neck issue during the series opener and is currently out of action. He is also expected to miss the ODI leg of the series. Pant was appointed his deputy in Test cricket before the England tour and is now leading India in the longest format for the first time. He has captained India in 5 T20Is in 2022.
Pant created history and etched his name in history books after he made his Test captaincy debut. He is only the second designated wicketkeeper after MS Dhoni to lead India in Tests.
Rishabh Pant creates history
Rishabh Pant created history and became the first wicketkeeper to lead India in the World Test Championship. As many as six captains have captained India in the WTC before Pant. But none of them kept wickets as captain.
Virat Kohli was the first captain to lead India in the WTC. Ajinkya Rahane took over the charge in his absence in 2020/21. KL Vice-captain Rahul also captained India before being sacked in 2023.
Rohit Sharma replaced Virat as the Test captain early in 2022 and led the red-ball team for nearly three years. Jasprit Bumrah has captained India in two Tests. Shubman Gill made his Test captaincy debut on the England tour.
Pant has now become the seventh captain to lead India in the WTC. He has the experience of leading India A and Delhi cricket team in first-class cricket. Pant-led Delhi made it to the final of the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy.
India have 4 wins from 8 matches in the ongoing WTC cycle. They have suffered 3 defeats. Australia have won all four matches and top the points table. They are followed by the present champions, South Africa. The Temba Bavuma-led side has 2 wins from 3 matches. They stunned India in the series opener.