Mohammad Kaif Criticizes BCCI Over Rishabh Pant’s Removal as Vice-Captain
A Controversial Selection Call
The recent announcement of India’s squads for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan has ignited a fierce debate within the cricketing fraternity. With Shubman Gill named to lead both sides, and KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer appointed as vice-captains for the Test and ODI formats respectively, the omission of Rishabh Pant from his leadership role has not gone unnoticed. Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has emerged as a vocal critic of this decision, questioning the logic behind the selectors’ choice.
Kaif Stands by Pant’s Record
Rishabh Pant, who previously held the vice-captaincy and even led the national side during a home series against South Africa, has seen his leadership role vanish in the latest squad reshuffle. During a recent discussion on JioStar, Kaif did not mince his words. He pointed out that Pant has been nothing short of exceptional in the longest format of the game. Statistics certainly support this claim; in 2025 alone, the 28-year-old was the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, amassing 629 runs across seven matches at an impressive average of 48, featuring two centuries and four half-centuries.
Kaif argued that Pant’s leadership capabilities in the IPL should not dictate his standing in the national Test team. There have been suggestions that the selectors were influenced by Pant’s recent performance with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Addressing these rumors, Kaif stated, “You are judging Pant based on his IPL captaincy skills. There are talks that under his captaincy, the team is losing, and the player himself is not scoring runs. But Rishabh Pant is India’s biggest match-winner in the Test format as a batter.”
The Consistency Paradox
The criticism from Kaif extends beyond just the captaincy issue. He also highlighted the perplexing treatment of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Despite proving his fitness and delivering strong performances over the last few months, Shami continues to be overlooked. While chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar cited medical reports suggesting Shami’s body is currently suited only for T20 cricket, Kaif finds this explanation contradictory when compared to other selections.
Kaif pointedly questioned the age-related bias that appears to be creeping into the selection process. Regarding the appointment of KL Rahul as vice-captain, Kaif noted, “KL is 34; you don’t pick Shami because of his age, but appoint Rahul as the vice-captain. The selectors have to be consistent.” For Kaif, the priority should always be current form and proven track record rather than arbitrary age limits. “I would urge them to go by form and not look at the age factor. If a player is scoring runs and picking wickets, he should be selected,” he added.
The Road Ahead
As the team prepares for the series starting on June 6th, the spotlight is firmly on the management’s decision-making. With Jasprit Bumrah rested, the pace attack will be spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, with Gurnoor Brar potentially set for a debut. While the team looks toward the future with new leadership appointments, the decision to demote Rishabh Pant remains a point of contention among fans and experts alike.
Ultimately, Kaif’s assessment reflects a growing concern about the lack of transparent and consistent selection criteria. By sidelining a proven match-winner like Pant, the selectors have invited scrutiny that will likely persist throughout the upcoming series. Whether the new leadership structure will bring the desired results or prove to be a short-sighted move remains to be seen. For now, the cricketing world waits to see how the team performs on the field and whether the selectors will address these valid concerns in future squad announcements.
