Highlighting the impact Pant created in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, Kaif suggested that the wicket-keeper batter had the Kiwis nervous for as long as he was on the pitch. Kaif also lauded Pant's dramatic improvement in recent years, saying he is the only true candidate for Test captaincy once Rohit steps down.

KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel have been added to the India A squad for the second four-day match against Australia A.

India must start planning for Rohit Sharma's successor if the team do not play well in their five-test series in Australia as the captain could well retire from the longest format, former skipper Krishnamachari Srikkanth has said.