Gautam Gambhir Urged To Give Rishabh Pant Freedom, Ease Pressure Of ‘Responsibility’
Pant urged to play his natural game
Rishabh Pant has been advised to return to his natural attacking style ahead of India’s first Test against Sri Lanka, with former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta urging head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management to give him greater freedom. Pant’s recent performances have raised questions about whether he is struggling with expectations and the pressure of responsibility after losing his vice-captaincy in Test cricket.
Pant’s role in the Indian team has changed considerably. The left-hander is now part of India’s Test setup after stepping away from the T20I format and no longer holds the Test vice-captaincy. KL Rahul has been named Shubman Gill’s deputy in the longest format. The changes have added another layer to Pant’s evolving role in the side, with his performances under increasing scrutiny as India prepare for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s difficulties were particularly visible during IPL 2026, when he appeared frustrated during a live television interaction with a broadcaster. The incident became another indication of the pressure surrounding Pant, who has always been known for his aggressive approach and willingness to take risks. His ability to change the course of a match has made him one of India’s most valuable Test batters, but maintaining that attacking instinct has also been a recurring challenge.
Pant’s uncertainty was again evident during India’s recent warm-up match against an SLC XI ahead of the Test series. In the first innings, he attempted an attacking stroke early in his stay at the crease and was dismissed after taking a high-risk option. In the second innings, his approach was markedly different as he appeared more cautious and struggled to find the balance between aggression and restraint.
His innings eventually ended with another aerial shot, reinforcing the impression that he was searching for the right approach. Dasgupta believes Pant’s best cricket is likely to emerge when he is not overthinking his role or attempting to conform to expectations. The former India cricketer has argued that the team management should allow Pant to play according to his instincts rather than burdening him with excessive responsibility.
The suggestion is particularly relevant given Pant’s history of producing match-changing performances when he has been allowed to attack without hesitation. The advice to Gambhir and the management is essentially to give Pant “freedom” rather than imposing too many tactical restrictions on his batting. Pant’s greatest strength has traditionally been his ability to put pressure on bowlers by playing unconventional strokes and maintaining an attacking mindset.
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Trying to make him completely change that approach could potentially reduce the impact he can have in Test cricket, particularly when India need to alter the momentum of a match. The word “responsibility” itself has become an important part of the discussion around Pant. While Test cricket demands discipline and situational awareness, asking Pant to carry too much responsibility could affect the natural aggression that makes him effective.
Pant's role as a wicketkeeper-batter already comes with significant demands, and adding expectations surrounding leadership or match situations could make his decision-making more complicated. India will hope Pant can rediscover his confidence when the Test series begins in Galle. His ability to counterattack against both pace and spin can provide India with a crucial advantage, particularly in Sri Lankan conditions where batting collapses can quickly change the direction of a match.
For Pant, the immediate challenge will be finding the balance between his natural attacking game and the demands of Test cricket. The recommendation to give Pant greater freedom reflects the belief that his best performances have come when he has trusted his instincts. Rather than forcing him into a rigid batting template, the team management could allow him to assess situations and play his natural game within the broader requirements of the team. With India preparing for the first Test, the focus will be on whether Pant can clear the mental clutter and once again produce the fearless cricket that has made him such an influential player for the side.
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