India vs Afghanistan series: Rishabh Pant dropped from ODI squad, loses Test vice-captaincy to Rahul

Flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) removed as vice-captain of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming one-off match against Afghanistan and dropped from the ODI line-up for the ensuing three-match series against the same opponents.

K.L. Rahul replaced Pant as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team that is being led by Shubman Gill. Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested from the Test match.

The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI senior men’s selection committee met in Guwahati to finalise India’s squads for the home assignment against Afghanistan. The assignments include a one-off Test in Mullanpur starting June 6, followed by three ODIs scheduled from June 14 across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai.

Spin bowler Manav Suthar and pacer Gurnoor Brar have earned maiden call-ups to the Test squad. Both are teammates at IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, while Prince Yadav is the new face in the ODI line-up, with Ishan Kishan being the second wicket-keeper.

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was rested from one-off Test and ODI series against Afghanistan as part of his workload management.