Veteran Indian batsman KL Rahul has been promoted to a new role as the vice-captain of the Indian red-ball team. Rishabh Pant In role. This feels like a punishment for Pant, who has lost form between the recent two IPL seasons.
India have finally announced their squad for the upcoming one-off Test series against Afghanistan, as well as the squad for the three-match ODI series, which will begin after the end of the IPL season.
Rishabh Pant’s team Lucknow Super Giants has failed to make it to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. However, the biggest concern for Pant is his poor form with the bat, as he has struggled for runs in the last two seasons.
KL Rahul was appointed as the new vice-captain of India’s red-ball team.
Ajit AgarkarThe -led Indian national selection committee has finally made sweeping changes to the Indian team. he has appointed KL RahulThe opening batsman, as the new vice-captain of the Indian red-ball team.
However, former vice-captain Rishabh Pant is still part of the Indian squad for the upcoming one-off Test series against Afghanistan. Not much has changed in that team, but only Devdutt Padikkal, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey have been included in the team.
Ravindra Jadeja has been dropped from the team, while two new left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar have been named in the Indian red-ball squad.
India Test Team: Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudarshan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Dhruv Jurel.
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Rishabh Pant has also been dropped from the Indian ODI team.
Experienced Indian batsman Rishabh Pant has once again been dropped from the 50-over Indian team. Despite being in the mix, he has not been included in the playing eleven in the last two years, as KL Rahul has emerged as India’s first-choice keeper.
Now Pant has finally been dropped from the Indian ODI team, as he has been replaced by in-form wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. Ishan has been in great form in white-ball cricket, while Pant is lacking form.
Ishan Kishan is now included in the ODI team as the second player Prince Yadav This is a new inclusion in the team, while two left-arm spinners Axar and Ravindra Jadeja have also been dropped. Mohammed Shami has also not been given a place in the team.
Fans are not happy with KL Rahul being made the vice-captain of India.
Very poor think tank, KL Rahul VC! pic.twitter.com/bvzdWMYWDI
– Lalan (@LalanPaikaray) 19 May 2026
A new chapter for Indian test cricket
KL Rahul is the new vice-captain of Team India pic.twitter.com/hjddmWMWkU– Alpha (@melbournmonster) 19 May 2026
KL Rahul is a good option as vice captain. Leadership does not suit Rishabh. We need him as a batsman.
– Roxhi._.1877 (@Shubrat_Pride18) 19 May 2026
what is this
KL Rahul 35.5 Average Vice Captain
Rishabh Pant– Manu. (@IMManu_18) 19 May 2026
Big mistake by BCCI
KL Rahul has been playing Test cricket for over 12 years and averages around 35, yet he has not only been selected but also given the role of vice-captain.
Many fans are questioning this decision and asking whether continuity should matter more in such a situation… pic.twitter.com/meHle1axd0
– Cricket Capital (@cricketcapital7) 19 May 2026
KL Rahul deserves to lead Team India in the Test format!! pic.twitter.com/YdagKP6keP
– N!!KPSG4(7) (@ElevateUrMind4) 19 May 2026
Also read: India vs Afghanistan Test squad: Full details of shocking exclusions and surprising inclusions