Rishabh Pant was once the future. Now, at 28, he feels like a question mark. Replaced as India’s Test vice-captain, dropped from leadership conversations, Pant is at a career inflection point. The talent has never been in doubt. The 2021 Gabba innings, the 2022 England rescue acts, the sheer audacity — he redefined what an Indian wicketkeeper-batter could be.
But talent without direction becomes noise.
In England this summer, the contrast was stark. Pant would counter-attack on day 1, then throw it away on day 2. He played brilliant knocks, but lacked the match-shaping consistency India needs from its No.5. With KL Rahul keeping in Tests and Sanju Samson waiting, Pant no longer has the automatic tag of “irreplaceable.” This is not about one series. It’s about role clarity. Pant tried to be everything — explosive batter, safe keeper, leader. The result: he became none of them consistently. Leadership pressure in 2021-22 didn’t help. Neither did the car crash and long rehab. But excuses end now.
India’s Test team is in transition post-Rohit and Kohli. It needs a middle-order anchor who can also accelerate. Pant can be that. But he must decide: does he want to be India’s Gilchrist, or India’s Sehwag-with-gloves? You cannot be both every day.
The good news: Pant still has time. Keepers peak late. Dhoni was 27 when he became captain. Gilchrist found his best rhythm after 30. Pant’s keeping has improved. His fitness is back. What he needs now is discipline. Not in training, but in shot selection. Not in media, but in messaging. The team needs the “potent version” of Pant — the one that wins you sessions, not just highlights.
If he gets it right, the 2026-27 cycle in South Africa and Australia is his. If not, India will move on. Brutal, but that’s Test cricket.
Pant is not finished. But he is no longer the anointed one. He has to earn it again. And that, for a player of his gifts, might be the best thing that could happen.