3 major challenges for Rishabh Pant as captain ahead of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test ft. Team Combination 

Team India wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is all set to lead the Test side for the first time in the second match against South Africa after Shubman Gill's injury in the series opener. The flamboyant player was the stand-in captain for the second half of the first Test, but has the task of leading on a full-time basis for the must-win encounter.

Rishabh Pant would have wished for more ideal circumstances to lead India for the first time, but the reality could not be more different. He has to handle 0-1 deficit, an underconfident team, and the magnifying glass that the squad is under at the hands of fans and pundits. He has to tread lightly and work around corners to get the best out of the side that is trying to avoid another home series defeat.

On that note, let us take a look at the three major challenges for Rishabh Pant as captain ahead of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test.

#1 Nailing the team combination for a must-win game

Rishabh Pant's most important task as captain is one to be executed before even a single ball is bowled. While winning the toss might be one of them, but the other crucial aspect that he has to be spot on is the playing XI. Team India have been to wayward and erratic in their team selections of late, and veering off course when a series is on the line, might not be the route that the stand-in skipper wants to take.

With that in mind, Pant has the task of working out with the team management to find precisely the right combination, which includes the right candidate to replace Shubman Gill, and the right batting order as well. The Men in Blue do not have much promising evidence to proceed with their four-spinner strategy, and the way the batting unit crumbled demands more reinforcements in the form of specialists rather than the infusion of more all-rounders.

While it is dramatic and exaggerated to suggest that a wrong call in team selection might cost India the series, the way the left-field calls have backfired, does not make the notion too absurd. Which is exactly why it is upon Rishabh Pant to make practical calls along traditional lines.

#2 Not let captaincy affect his batting

Only a few months ago, critics were pointing out how the price tag and captaincy pressure were affecting Rishabh Pant's form in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While it is Apples and Oranges, it does lead one to wonder whether the additional responsibility might hinder his batting in Tests as well.

It is not a monumental factor since Pant recently led India 'A' against South Africa 'A', and had a relatively decent series with the bat, scoring 196 runs at an average of 49. However, it is a slightly different equation, leading the Indian Test team with a deficit of 0-1.

For Pant, who already looked shaky in the first Test, struggling to land on a gear to function, it is imperative to leave captaincy out of his mind while batting. He cannot afford to second-guess his instincts as a batter just because he has the leadership tag associated with him.

Furthermore, without Gill, the southpaw is only one of the two experienced members in the batting unit, along with KL Rahul. As a result, if captaincy affects Pant in any way while batting, which it should not, India could be in major trouble.

#3 Using bowlers judiciously

The new-look Team India have never been short of bowling options in the playing XI, largely due to their faith in the all-rounder formula. However, being spoilt for choice has not aided the team in any way since it is difficult for a captain to keep all six bowling options in the game.

While Rishabh Pant must be aware of who the strike bowlers are, he has the task of using them judiciously, and using the right combination of candidates at the right time. For instance, his strategy of opening Day 3 with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, instead of Jasprit Bumrah from one end, was panned after the defeat.

South Africa were on the ropes at 92-7, and were able to get through the start of the day unscathed to put on some runs and stretch the lead.

The wicket-keeper must be mindful of similar instances and be more smart with the bowling changes, especially at the start of the day or whenever there is a partnership brewing.

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Edited by Gokul Nair