Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant missed out on a century against Afghanistan, falling for 81 after a miscued attacking stroke. Former player Saba Karim suggested fatigue and dehydration, rather than poor shot selection, contributed to the dismissal. Pant's innings was crucial in India's strong first-innings total.

Pant was removed as India's Test vice-captain when the BCCI announced the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month

Rishabh Pant achieved a significant milestone, becoming the third Indian wicketkeeper to play 50 Test matches. At 28, he joins legends Dhoni and Kirmani. Despite recent career challenges, Pant's Test record remains exceptional, marked by match-winning performances and a strong batting average. This achievement underscores his enduring value in the longest format of the game.

Pant was relieved of LSG's captaincy duties last week after the franchise finished at the bottom of the 10-team table. His individual form also came under scrutiny, with the left-hander managing only 312 runs in 14 innings.

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants, a decision accepted immediately by the franchise. Pant himself initiated the request to be relieved of his leadership duties. The franchise expressed gratitude for his contributions and is now focused on rebuilding. This comes after Pant's record-breaking Rs 27 crore move to LSG.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised debutant Manav Suthar's rapid rise, defended Rishabh Pant's attacking style, highlighted India's successful switch from IPL cricket to the red-ball format, and expressed excitement about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's immense potential while stressing the importance of players staying true to their natural game.

Afghanistan missed a crucial DRS opportunity to dismiss Rishabh Pant, who went on to score 81 runs. Replays later confirmed a clear edge on Pant's bat, a decision that proved costly for the visitors. Pant's entertaining knock was eventually ended by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for more foreign captains in the IPL, saying teams should select the best leader regardless of nationality. While acknowledging that Indian captains boost a franchise’s brand value and fan appeal, he argued that leadership quality should take precedence. Manjrekar cited successful overseas skippers like David Warner and Pat Cummins as examples.

Prime Minister Modi is personally overseeing NEET reforms following the paper leak, the Centre informed the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Sensex experienced a significant drop amid monsoon fears and global uncertainties. The NIA busted a Pakistan-linked drone terror plot, and Rishabh Pant stepped down as LSG captain. NATO condemned Russia after a drone incident near Ukraine.

India dominated day two of the Test against Afghanistan. Hosts declared at 564/8, with centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Debutant Manav Suthar impressed with three wickets. Afghanistan ended the day at 113/5, trailing by 451 runs. Rahmat Shah reached 1,000 Test runs. India is in a strong position to win.

Rishabh Pant, set for his 50th Test, displays his usual cheerful demeanor despite a shift in leadership role. While his playful spirit remains, the team management seeks adjustments to his game, focusing on situational play. This milestone match marks a new chapter for the impactful batter, emphasising his commitment to senior player responsibilities.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant used a curse word in a post-match interview. This led to criticism. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar defended Pant. He suggested broadcasters should give losing captains more time to recover. This would prevent such incidents. Pant's team had a poor IPL 2026 season. He also struggled with his batting performance.

LSG had made Rishabh Pant captain after bidding Rs 27 crore for him, making him the most expensive player in IPL history. On the other hand, MI stirred a controversy when they brought Hardik Pandya back to their fold from Gujarat Titans and named him captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, then India’s captain across all three formats.

After a breakthrough IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, Mukul Choudhary is set to fulfil a dream far bigger than cricket: helping his family clear a long-standing bank loan. From overnight bus journeys between Gurugram and Bharatpur to years of living in rented homes, the youngster's rise has been built on sacrifice, hard work and unwavering family support. Now, armed with lessons from Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, Mukul believes the IPL has changed his life and opened the road to bigger ambitions.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket at age 32. Across seven Tests, the former ball boy stepped up reliably during Rishabh Pant's absence. Former chief selector MSK Prasad praised Bharat as Andhra's finest product and India's most skilled gloveman after Wriddhiman Saha, though his career remained paradoxically caught between the two keepers' distinct strengths.

India arrived in New Chandigarh on Tuesday for a one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6, marking their return to red-ball cricket after IPL 2026. Led by Shubman Gill, India will use the match to prepare for upcoming overseas tours. Afghanistan aims to test itself against a top side. The teams last met in a Test in 2018, when India won convincingly.

India seized control on day one against Afghanistan, reaching a formidable 368 for 3. Centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, showcasing contrasting styles, anchored the innings. Sai Sudharsan's 81 and Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 50 further solidified India's dominance, leaving Afghanistan's bowlers struggling.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes India's 30-member men's cricket probables for the 2026 Asian Games. Notably absent are T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Shubman Gill due to a scheduling clash with the West Indies series. This forces a two-team strategy, with a younger core potentially emerging for future T20 tournaments.

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain after two disappointing IPL seasons. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's tenure saw LSG finish bottom in IPL 2026, extending their playoff drought. His individual form also struggled to justify the hefty price tag, impacting his national team prospects.

India's spin attack showed promising signs as Manav Suthar impressed on his Test debut, taking three wickets against Afghanistan. This performance marks a potential resurgence for Indian spinners, with Suthar being eyed as a future successor to established stars. His accurate bowling and ability to impart significant turn on the ball have generated considerable excitement within the cricketing fraternity.

Spinners Expected To Dominate Blazing-Hot Clash

Lucknow Super Giants are poised for a leadership shake-up following two disappointing IPL seasons. Director of Cricket Tom Moody acknowledged captain Rishabh Pant's struggles with the pressure of leadership, hinting at a significant "reset" for the franchise. The team finished last this season, prompting a serious review of their entire setup.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant apologized to fans for a disappointing IPL 2026 season, as his team, already out of playoff contention, faced Punjab Kings. Pant acknowledged the tough campaign, promising a 100% effort in their final league match. Punjab Kings, needing a win to stay alive, opted to bowl first.

Shubman Gill is experiencing a career-defining period as India's Test captain, transforming into a prolific run-scorer. His recent century against Afghanistan highlights his exceptional record, boasting 1,076 runs in 15 innings at an average of 82.76. Gill's captaincy has seen him achieve significant milestones, including becoming the second-fastest Indian captain to reach 1,000 Test runs.

Manav Suthar received his first India Test cap on Saturday. The Rajasthan all-rounder was presented with the cap before the Afghanistan Test. Suthar is a 23-year-old left-arm spinner and lower-order batsman. He earned his call-up after strong domestic performances. This debut marks a significant step for the young cricketer.