Rishabh Pant's days in Indian Test team numbered as THIS player set to replace him - Reports
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Rishabh Pant is part of India squad for SL vs IND Tests.
Rishabh Pant is among India’s best wicket-keeper batsmen, especially in the red ball format. He debuted in Tests in 2018 and has played 50 matches so far. He has amassed more than 3500 runs at an average of 43. As a wicket-keeper batsman, he is already the second highest leading run-getter for India in Tests.
Pant has a lot of Test records to his name, ever since he debuted. He has hit the most sixes by an Indian in this format (97*). He also has 8 centuries to his name with 19 fifties.
However, this incredible past record has not been consistent in the last few Test series. Rishabh Pant was also named the vice-captain in Tests ahead of the India tour of England 2025, but he was stripped off of this role shortly after the South Africa series in 2025.
The left-hander had scored only 49 runs in the two matches against South Africa, while leading the side in the absence of Shubman Gill. The Men in Blue had lost the series 2-0 which dented India’s chances for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 Final qualification.
There are reports suggesting that Pant could be dropped from the Test team if his poor run of form continues and India are already preparing another wicket-keeper batter as his replacement. Below are more details regarding the same.
Will Dhruv Jurel take over the reigns from Rishabh Pant?
A journalist from News24, Vaibhav Bhola, has reported that there are chances of Rishabh Pant getting dropped from the Indian Test team if his poor performance continues. He ascertains that Dhruv Jurel is sure to be in the team against Sri Lanka and could well be on road to replace Pant as first-choice keeper in the future.
The report says that only quick runs would not do the work for Pant anymore, instead he will have to win matches for the team as well. The journalist mentions that Pant has significantly contributed to only 3-4 victories in a Test career spanning over 8 years.
Notably, Jurel was made the India A captain for the team touring Sri Lanka for the two Unofficial Tests in June-July. India A won the series by 1-0. The skipper scored 208 runs in three innings, including a century (141) and a half century (53).
Jurel is only 25 and has played merely 10 Tests so far, but has already cemented his place in the team with his performances. He has been a proactive wicket-keeper and an enthusiastic team player.
The right-handed batsman announced himself in just his second Test, against England, where he was the Player of the Match for his brilliant 90 & 39* in a match-winning cause. He hit his maiden Test century against West Indies in 2025.
Jurel is most likely to bat at No.6 against Sri Lanka. He has established himself as a steady player of spin and an aggressor against pace. His role at No.6 will be crucial for India given the versatility and adaptability required for that position.
It is less likely that India would move on from a player like Rishabh Pant so soon. However, this Sri Lanka series will be vital for him and he will have to come amongst the runs so as to regain his confidence.
Will Rishabh Pant be dropped from the Test team?
Rishabh Pant has been on a low form and he will have to score runs to regain his confidence and stabilise his position in the team.
Will Dhruv Jurel be the next wicket-keeper batsman for India in Tests?
There are chances for Dhruv Jurel to take over the keeping role, however, it is less likely that India would move on from a player like Rishabh Pant so soon.
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Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.