The five-match Test series assignment India and England is set to commence from June 20 with the first match to take place at Headingley in Leeds. The series will be quite important for both the sides as it will mark the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Pant opened up on being named India's vice-captain in Tests
Ahead of the much-anticipated series, India wicketkeeper-batter and newly-appointed vice-captain Rishabh Pant participated in a press-conference where he was asked about the additional responsibilites that come with the role of the deputy.
"It doesn't matter if one is the captain or the vice-captain, he will have to contribute. I always gave my best on the field even when I was not the vice-captain, so my mindset hasn't changed at all. I may have a lot of authority now but I am not thinking about it. I will contribute my best wherever I can and we will see what will happen eventually," Pant said during the press-conference.
Pant last featured for India in the longest format in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series 2024/25 against Australia that was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Though the 27-year-old failed to perform well in the other four Tests, he did play decent knocks of 40 and 61 in the first and second innings respectively of the Sydney Test. He will be looking to continue that form when he steps out to bat at Headingley, where the pitch is known to favour the pacers.
During the press-conference, Pant also revealed a major detail about India's batting-order for the first Test. He stated that skipper Shubman Gill will be batting on the fourth position while he himself will come out to bat on the fifth spot. He further revealed that it is not yet decided as to who will bat on the third position.
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“There is still discussion going on who will bat at No 3. Shubham will go in at No 4 and I will bat at 5. I think me and Shubman have a really good camaraderie off the field. If you're good friends off the field, it eventually comes on the field as well. That is something I've always believed. Me and him, we gel really well together. We keep on having conversations and the kind of comfort zone we have with each other, I think that is really going to be special for us," Pant stated.
After being handed the role of vice-captain, the Indian team management's expectations from Pant will certainly have increased and this only makes the upcoming Test assignment against England even more important for the wicketkeeper-batter as he will not only be looking to improve his form in red-ball cricket, but will also be trying to prove the selectors that he is worthy to be given a leadership role in the team.