India, May 19 -- After the rumble and frenzy of the IPL, a low-key home series against Afghanistan would be ideal. The squad selection, therefore, should have been routine, with only workload management rests to be checked. But it's not Indian cricket if there is zero turbulence.

Rishabh Pant came across as the biggest casualty in India's Test and ODI squad announcement on Tuesday. Not only did the left-handed wicket-keeper batter lose his spot from the ODI squad, but he was also stripped of Test vice-captaincy.

Announced as Shubman Gill's deputy for last year's Test tour of England, Pant was tipped as one "who will take the team forward" in the transitioning phase. Six Test outings later - one of which he captained India, in Gill's abs...