India, June 5 -- Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir finally broke his silence on wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant being replaced by KL Rahul as the Test vice-captain. When the squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan was announced, fans were shocked to find Pant being demoted and losing the job of being Shubman Gill's deputy. The former Indian opening batter kept his cards close to his chest but made a sweeping statement, saying the experienced batter should respect match situations.

India's last Test series against South Africa saw the hosts being blanked 0-2 by the Proteas, and Pant's performance came under fire. The aggressive left-handed batter suffered a rush of blood in the second Test in Guwahati, throwing his wicket away,...