Guwahati: As India gears up for the second Test against South Africa, all eyes are on the team amid immense pressure. Regular captain Shubman Gill is unlikely to play due to injury, opening the possibility for Rishabh Pant to take over the captaincy at Barasara Stadium, Guwahati, a venue hosting its first-ever Test match.
A Rare Role in Test History
In 93 years of Indian Test cricket, only 37 players have captained the national team. Among them, just one wicketkeeper has ever led the side: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who captained India from 2008 to 2014 in 60 Tests, securing 27 wins and 18 losses.
If Pant assumes the captaincy in Guwahati, he will become only the second Indian wicketkeeper to lead in Test cricket, joining Dhoni in this elite club.
Rishabh Pant: India’s Most Successful Current Wicketkeeper-Batsman
Pant’s batting record as a wicketkeeper is exceptional:
- Matches: 48
- Runs: 3,456
- Average: ~44
- Centuries: 8
Among wicketkeeper-batsmen, only legends Adam Gilchrist and Andy Flower have scored more centuries. Currently, Pant holds the record for the most runs by an active wicketkeeper with 3,515 runs.
Pant’s Captaincy Record
While his leadership in Tests is yet to be tested, Pant has captained in the Indian Premier League for 57 matches, winning 29 and losing 27. He also led India A in a recent series against South Africa A, which ended 1-1, with South Africa A chasing over 400 runs in the second match’s fourth innings to secure victory.
With Pant potentially leading the team, Indian cricket could witness a historic milestone, as another wicketkeeper joins the legendary MS Dhoni’s exclusive leadership club in Test cricket. This match in Guwahati promises to be a significant chapter in India’s cricketing legacy.
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