Former India batter Hemang Badani wants Rishabh Pant to play freely in the upcoming England Test series. He believes India head coach Gautam Gambhir should tell Pant, “Rishabh, tu apna game khel, forget that you are the vice captain of Team India.”

Pant has been officially included in the leadership group for the first time. He will help lead India under new Test captain Shubman Gill. Since veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin retired, India lost almost 300 Tests of experience. Therefore, players like Pant must step up to guide the team.

Despite Mixed Form, Pant Remains Crucial

Earlier this year, Pant struggled in Australia. Later, in IPL 2025, he failed to deliver as the most expensive player in the league’s history. However, in Test matches, he remains one of India’s top hopes with the bat.

In fact, Pant has scored 1,681 runs in SENA countries at an average of 37.81. He has smashed centuries in all those countries except New Zealand. According to Badani, “He is somebody who has found the right balance of attacking stroke-making and defensive stroke-making.”

Pant’s Past Success in England Shows Promise

Previously, in India’s last Test in England, Pant played a brilliant knock of 146 off just 111 balls. That innings came after India had collapsed to 98 for 5. Even on his debut in 2018, Pant made headlines by hitting a six off only his second ball in international cricket.

Pant Looks Strong in Practice

Recently, Pant showed his aggressive style during training. He hit massive sixes that reportedly dented a roof at Lord’s and forced nearby residents in Beckenham to duck for cover. As a result, Badani said he wants this fearless version of Pant to appear next week.

“I genuinely hope it doesn’t change one bit,” Badani said. He explained that Pant’s natural attacking mindset brought him success. “He didn’t become vice captain because he was subdued. He was chosen because of his success in Test cricket by thinking positively,” he added.

Gambhir’s Role is Important

Therefore, Badani believes Gambhir must encourage Pant to trust his instincts. He said, “It’s important that someone like Gautam Gambhir has a chat with him and says, ‘Rishabh tu apna game khel.’ Don’t think too hard about captaincy, vice captaincy.”

Moreover, Badani explained that Pant often bats when the second new ball is due. At such times, a positive batter can shift the momentum. “There is a certain way that you’ve played over the years and that has worked well for you,” Badani pointed out. “I think it will work well for us if he does that again.”

Pant Set to Bat at No. 5

After the retirements of Rohit and Kohli, India’s batting line-up will likely see changes. But Pant is expected to take the No. 5 spot. According to Badani, “You want to keep the bowling on the mat, keep them under pressure.” He warned that if a batter keeps leaving deliveries, bowlers settle and attack better.

Pant Needs Full Freedom

Badani insisted Pant must keep his natural mindset. “He needs to think like Rishabh Pant and nothing else,” he said. He also emphasized that team management should give Pant the freedom to play without fear. “Because the only challenge is when you see a batter isn’t having the right balance. But he does have the right balance,” Badani concluded.