IND vs SL: The Indian cricket team is currently undergoing a period of change. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been particularly affected. Pant has been dropped from the T20 and ODI teams during this transition. He has also been stripped of his Test vice-captaincy. Following his poor performance in IPL 2026, questions have been raised about his place in the Test format. The Sri Lanka tour will be Pant’s true test, where he will aim to deliver a befitting reply to his critics.
Rishabh Pant’s real test is about to happen
The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15th, where wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will be seen playing. Pant performed well in the Test match against Afghanistan, but even after that, he will not be happy with himself. Dhruv Jurel will also play alongside Rishabh Pant in the Test match against Sri Lanka. If Pant does not perform well in these two Test matches and Jurel scores runs, then Jurel could replace Pant as wicketkeeper-batsman on the New Zealand tour. If Pant scores runs on the Sri Lanka tour, he will not only cement his place but will also silence his critics.
Look at the way Rishabh Pant is showing something on his phone to MS Dhoni while they are roaming around Ranchi in MS Dhoni’s car. 👀 pic.twitter.com/AVsZAF6s9n
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) August 2, 2026
Gambhir-Gill is also under pressure
Following the series loss against South Africa, when head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill came under pressure, Rishabh Pant was the first to be stripped of the vice-captaincy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also urged Pant to focus more on his batting. The Sri Lanka tour will once again focus on this trio. Pant will not want to be sacrificed again. Therefore, he will be aiming to score runs in both Test matches against Sri Lanka.