Rishabh Pant confronted about India’s ‘too many all-rounders’ policy under head coach Gautam Gambhir; his response goes viral

With Shubman Gill sidelined, Rishabh Pant is set to captain India’s Test team in the second match of the series against South Africa. Trailing 1-0 against Temba Bavuma’s team, Pant faces a significant challenge, especially as he makes his Test captaincy debut on the pitch in one-day internationals. Responding to reporters on the eve of the match, Pant faced some tough questions on Friday. The goalkeeper was also questioned about the abundance of versatile players in the team and whether this was beneficial for the longest format of the game.

Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, India has opted for all-rounders over specialists across all formats. In the opening match, India fielded three all-round bowlers. He gave a frank answer when asked if specialists have priority over all-rounders in Test cricket.

“With so many all-rounders now, do you really think Test cricket is a game for experts?” the reporter asked.

“I think it’s sometimes a balance for the team combination. You have to see if a specialist player helps you more or an all-rounder gives you more stability in the team. So it’s all about finding the team balance and finding the way you play cricket,” Pant said.

When asked about his approach to captaincy, Pant expressed that he values ​​allowing players the freedom to showcase their talent. “I want to be someone who gives that freedom and I want people and players to learn something and ultimately make the right decision for the team. That’s the real goal. And obviously, whatever knowledge I have, I’m going to help them on the field no matter what,” he said.

Pant elaborated on the importance of the Guwahati stadium for him, noting that it was the venue for his ODI debut for India. Unlike Eden Gardens, where the match was completed in just three days, Pant stated that the second Test venue is expected to be more suitable for batting.

“First of all, I can say that this ground is very special in my heart. I played my one-day debut here. I am playing my first captaincy test match here. So it will always be special for me. And I feel it is special for the entire Guwahati.”

“Because this is my first test match here. So everyone has a special feeling about coming here. Regarding the pitch, I also think this wicket will play better. Definitely, it is a better wicket to bat on. Obviously, it will transform after a few days. But it will be a good contest,” he concluded.

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