India’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has revealed the reason behind the selection of Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain for the Indian Test team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the appointment, designating Shubman Gill as the new captain, with Rishabh Pant selected as his vice-captain for the upcoming tour of England.

Pant has emerged as India’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket since 2020, consistently delivering match-winning performances both on home turf and overseas. Agarkar praised Pant’s remarkable recent form and emphasized his ability to assess and understand the game from behind the stumps, which will be vital in his new leadership role.

“He’s the vice-captain and has been one of our top performers in Test cricket for the last four or five years, having played around 40 Tests. His perspective on the game, shaped by his experience as a wicketkeeper, is extremely valuable. That’s why he’s Shubman‘s deputyhe offers vital support with the wealth of knowledge he brings. He’s an outstanding player, and we’re focusing on players who will lead the team into the future,” Agarkar explained during the press conference.

Having played 43 Test matches to date, Pant has accumulated 2948 runs at an average of 42.11, with six centuries and five half-centuries to his name. His impressive century tally across England, Australia, and South Africa, and his defining innings of 89* during India’s historic win at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2021, further underscore his invaluable contribution to the team.

Although Pant has an impressive Test record, he has struggled in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, scoring just 151 runs across 12 innings, with an average of 13.72. These struggles align with the poor performance of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who were eliminated from the competition. Pant will be eager to move past his disappointing IPL season and shift focus to his crucial role in the Indian Test squad as they gear up for the five-match series in England, set to begin on June 20