Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Aakash Chopra Questions KL Rahul’s Test Vice-Captaincy Return
India’s selectors changed the team’s vice-captain before a Test against Afghanistan.
They removed Rishabh Pant from the leadership group.
Pant had become part of that group before the 2025 England tour.
He continued to score runs after that change.
He also led the Guwahati Test when Shubman Gill was unavailable.
The selectors then brought KL Rahul back as vice-captain.
Aakash Chopra questioned why KL Rahul was chosen.
He pointed out that KL Rahul is eight years older than Rishabh Pant.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee removed Rishabh Pant as vice-captain before the one-off Afghanistan Test in June.
Rishabh Pant had joined the leadership group before the 2025 England tour but was dropped from it in less than a year.
Pant continued scoring runs and captained the Guwahati Test against South Africa when Shubman Gill was absent.
The selectors brought KL Rahul back into the leadership group and appointed him vice-captain.
Aakash Chopra questioned KL Rahul’s appointment, noting that he is eight years older than Rishabh Pant.
- Who
- The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Aakash Chopra.
- What
- The selectors removed Rishabh Pant as vice-captain and appointed KL Rahul instead.
- When
- Before the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June; Pant had joined the leadership group before the 2025 England tour.
- Where
- The change concerned the Test team; Pant had led the Guwahati Test against South Africa.
- Why
- The articles do not give the selectors’ stated reason; Aakash Chopra questioned the appointment because KL Rahul is eight years older than Rishabh Pant.
Aakash Chopra’s Question
Selectors’ Decision
Choice of vice-captain
Aakash Chopra’s Question
Aakash Chopra questioned why KL Rahul was appointed vice-captain, particularly because he is eight years older than Rishabh Pant.
Selectors’ Decision
The selection committee brought KL Rahul back into the leadership group and appointed him vice-captain after removing Rishabh Pant.
Pant’s leadership credentials
Aakash Chopra’s Question
Pant continued to score runs and had led the Guwahati Test against South Africa when Shubman Gill was absent.
Selectors’ Decision
Despite Pant’s continued contributions, the selectors dropped him from the leadership group in less than a year.
- Match
- One-off Test against Afghanistan
- Leadership change
- Rishabh Pant was removed as vice-captain
- New vice-captain
- KL Rahul
- Selection committee
- Led by Ajit Agarkar
- Pant’s prior role
- Joined the leadership group before the 2025 England tour
- Pant’s captaincy
- Led the Guwahati Test against South Africa in Shubman Gill’s absence
- Chopra’s criticism
- Questioned KL Rahul’s appointment and cited the eight-year age difference