Rishabh Pant not mature enough to lead India, did horrible job against South Africa: Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has opined that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is not mature enough to take on the captaincy responsibilities for the rescheduled fifth Test match that will be played at Edgbaston from Friday, July 1. With Rohit Sharma having tested positive for COVID-19 and vice-captain KL Rahul unavailable due to a groin injury, India are desperately looking for a suitable candidate to lead them.

Justifying further, the veteran spinner said that India have options in Virat Kohli and senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Furthermore, Kaneria criticised Pant by saying that the Delhi stumper disappointed as India’s stand-in captain during the home T20Is against South Africa.

Rishabh Pant should not be the captain anymore: Danish Kaneria

“He is not even mature enough to be a captain. Because Rohit is doubtful for the Test match. Let’s see,” Danish Kaneria said in a video posted on his official YouTube channel.

“Kohli is one of the best choices as captain if Rohit Sharma is not available. You also have Ashwin. Pant was given the captaincy in the South Africa series and he did a horrible job. His own batting collapses when he does captaincy. Rishabh Pant should not be the captain any more. Ravichandran Ashwin can be a good choice. I think the load should not be on Bumrah. he should concentrate on his bowling. It is Test cricket. I would not keep Bumrah or Pant for captaincy,” he added.

As far as Rishabh Pant’s captaincy is concerned, he had led India for the very first time during the South Africa series. The Men in Blue staged a remarkable comeback after being 0-2 down to finish the series 2-2 with the final encounter being washed out. The middle-order sensation has also captained the Delhi Capitals in the two seasons of the IPL. He led them to the playoffs in 2021 where DC were knocked out in the second Qualifier and the Capitals went on to finish fifth in the 2022 season.