Rishabh Pant has recently faced a significant reduction in his leadership responsibilities, being replaced as vice-captain of the India Test team by KL Rahul and stepping down from captaincy duties at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Pant is determined to maintain a leadership presence in the dressing room. He engaged in a detailed conversation with head coach Gautam Gambhir, focusing on how to conduct himself as a senior player. During a training session ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Pant exhibited improved body language and intent, reflecting Gambhir's guidance. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate noted that Pant's leadership is not solely dependent on a title, and he is expected to adapt his gameplay to align with match situations. The coaching staff aims to preserve Pant's natural brilliance while encouraging him to be more strategic. Despite recent changes, Pant remains a vital member of the team, second only to KL Rahul in seniority, and is described as being in high spirits, contributing positively to team morale.