Rishabh Pant: 'For me, it's very simple' as he prepares for Irani Cup after losing Test vice-captaincy

Rishabh Pant, who has lost the Test vice-captaincy and is no longer a regular in India's ODI side, is in Srinagar for the Irani Cup, a report published on September 30, 2026 said. He told reporters he is concentrating on the immediate task rather than long-term selection questions.

Pant will turn out for Rest of India in the Irani Cup, his first red-ball game since India's Test tour of Sri Lanka last month, and arrives with a New Zealand Test series on the horizon. The wicketkeeper-batter is described in the report as a one-format regular for India; KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs and Pant was not part of India's squad for the ongoing ODI series against the West Indies.

Speaking ahead of the Irani Cup, Pant said: "For me, it's very simple. Whatever is in front of me, I will give my best. That's how I played cricket and I keep it very simple. So whatever opportunity I get, I try to make the best out of it. For me, every game is an opportunity. I want to give my best and I keep it very simple." He framed the remark as the basis for his preparation for the match in Srinagar.

On coping with selection setbacks, Pant said: "I try to give my best every time I take on the field. And that has been the key for me over a period of time," he said. "Yes, there will be ups and downs. When you want to have an international career for 15-20 years, you have to go through all these things. So it's that kind of mindset."

Pant recounted how his outlook altered during a lengthy recovery after a car crash in December 2022, which kept him out of cricket for nearly 18 months. "See, when you have gone through so much in your life, you understand, you know, keeping it simple is the key," Pant said. "Obviously, when you're playing for your country, working hard is not optional. You have to work hard, you have to be mentally strong, and you've got to keep on learning and keep on improving. And that's the mindset you want to keep."

He also cited a recent break as part of his preparation and said he is not preoccupied with selection or fitness. "Especially when you're going through a long rehab, it's always frustrating. But developing that mindset [not overthinking] is obviously challenging, but at the same time, you know, if you're playing international cricket, you have to go through challenges," he said, adding that he would focus on the game in front of him.

Pant will play for Rest of India in the Irani Cup, and the New Zealand Test series remains the next confirmed international engagement mentioned in the report.