BCCI Names Squads for Duleep Trophy 2024-25: Rishabh Pant’s Captaincy Snub Sparks Debate

In a significant development ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads for the first round of the tournament, set to begin on September 5. The announcement has garnered attention, particularly regarding the return of India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, to red-ball cricket. However, the decision not to appoint Pant as the captain of his team has sparked a debate among cricket experts.

Rishabh Pant’s Return to Red-Ball Cricket

Rishabh Pant, who has been pivotal in India’s Test cricket success, will be playing under the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran in “Team B.” Pant’s inclusion is a positive sign for Indian cricket, as he continues to be a key player in the longer format. However, the BCCI’s decision to overlook him for the captaincy role has raised eyebrows, especially given Pant’s prior consideration as a potential successor to Rohit Sharma in the Test arena.

Aakash Chopra Questions BCCI’s Move

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has openly questioned the BCCI’s decision, expressing his surprise at Pant not being named captain. In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted Pant’s exceptional track record in Test cricket, noting his centuries in challenging overseas conditions such as South Africa, England, and Australia. He argued that Pant’s consistency and impact in the Test format made him a strong candidate for the role of captain.

“Rishabh Pant is not a captain. He has been selected in Abhimanyu Easwaran’s team. He is playing under Abhimanyu Easwaran’s captaincy, which is absolutely okay. However, is Rishabh Pant not even a candidate for Test captaincy? I am a little surprised,” Chopra said, reflecting the sentiments of many fans and analysts who see Pant as a natural leader on the field.

The Future of Indian Test Captaincy

Chopra further emphasized that while players like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and even Easwaran have been groomed for leadership roles, Pant’s exclusion from this list is a significant decision. He also expressed curiosity about India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s stance on Pant’s potential as a future Test captain.

“A new era has started. So I will be very curious to know what Gautam’s opinion is with regards to Rishabh Pant the captain,” Chopra added, underscoring the importance of the current management’s vision for the team’s leadership in the future.

What’s Next for Pant and Indian Cricket?

As the Duleep Trophy approaches, all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant, not just for his performances with the bat and gloves, but also on how he responds to the leadership dynamics within his team. Whether this decision will affect his standing in the national team or propel him to prove his mettle further remains to be seen. 

For now, the cricketing world watches closely, as the debate around India’s next Test captain continues to unfold.

Duleep Trophy 2024-25: The tournament kicks off on September 5, with the spotlight firmly on Rishabh Pant and the leadership choices made by the BCCI.

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