Rishabh Pant’s immature captaincy decisions proved costly, emerging as a major factor in India’s Kolkata Test defeat.
When Rishabh Pant walked in as Team India’s stand-in captain for the Kolkata Test against South Africa, expectations were sky-high. India were favourites, and the pitch was exactly what India wanted (as per coach Gautam Gambhir). Yet the match slipped away, not because of a single moment but due to a series of strategic miscalculations that compounded under pressure.
Pant, courageous with the bat and explosively instinctive as a player, found himself exposed in a role that demanded measured judgment, clarity of thought, and tactical foresight. Much like India’s playing 11, which looked more T20-oriented than built around a solid Test core, Pant’s captaincy felt driven by raw aggression rather than clear tactical planning.
Delayed use of pace
One of the biggest talking points from Day 3 was Pant’s delay in bringing Jasprit Bumrah into the attack. The conditions were ideal – the pitch had just been rolled, reducing turn and giving seamers an edge in the first 20–25 minutes. Former India spinner and commentator Ravichandran Ashwin did not mince his words when he called it a “glaring error,” insisting that the final day should have begun with Bumrah and Jadeja.
On his YouTube channel, Ashwin opined, “The strategy at the start of Day 3 was wrong. Test match mornings should always start with your best bowlers. Bumrah and Jadeja should have started the day, then it should have been Kuldeep, and that is how the rotation should have happened. India made a massive error there; it was a tactical error, because of which the match slipped away from our hands.”
When Bumrah finally returned, he immediately dismissed Corbin Bosch, proof that early pressure could have changed the complexion of the chase. The delay meant India surrendered the initiative in the most crucial phase of the Test.
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Disrupted rhythm
If pace was under-utilised, spin was utilised poorly. Pant’s constant chopping and changing between his spinners prevented them from building pressure or finding rhythm. Test cricket’s most effective spinners operate like surgeons, they need overs, angles, and patterns to work over batters. But India’s slow bowlers were given fragmented spells, unable to settle long enough to threaten consistently.
South Africa’s batters, sensing the inconsistency, played risk-free cricket, nudging and defending their way steadily towards the target. The lack of a settled plan from Pant left the bowlers guessing rather than dictating.
Defensive mindset
Equally criticised were Pant’s field placements, which many analysts viewed as overly reactive. Cricket expert Aakash Chopra criticised Pant for placing long-on and deep midfielders and allowing the batters to sneak some extra runs. According to Chopra, if Pant took those fielders close to the batters, into the circle, then he could put extra psychological pressure on the batters.
He pointed out that if the batters showed any intention to go against the spin, then those fielders near the boundary rope could be proved effective. But as the batters showed no signs of taking the Ariel route, the fielders at long and deep made very little sense.
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Defensive day 3
While the bowling decisions shaped the defeat, India’s batting collapse exposed a psychological flaw. The target was small, but the approach was timid. Shot selection lacked conviction, partnerships never formed, and fear of failure overshadowed intent.
Pant’s leadership here mattered as much as tactical calls. A captain’s mindset is contagious. The hesitation reflected uncertainty from the top. Instead of treating the chase as a straightforward, patient grind, the team played nervously, gifting South Africa wickets at critical moments.
Pant’s captaincy cost India winnable Test?
In hindsight, Pant’s captaincy errors followed a clear pattern, late use of Bumrah, inconsistent spin management, overly defensive fields, and a fearful batting approach. These decisions collectively shaped one of the most avoidable home defeats in recent memory for India.
However, Pant is still finding his feet after the recent injury. Leadership thrust in high-pressure circumstances can even overwhelm seasoned captains. Kolkata was harsh, but it could also be formative. For both Pant and his fans, the hopes are that it was the latter.
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