India’s cricketing sensation, Rishabh Pant, is set to make a dramatic return to the national Test side for the forthcoming home series against Bangladesh, with the first fixture commencing on September 19 in Chennai. This marks Pant’s first call-up to the red-ball squad since his horrifying accident in December 2022—a turn of events that many feared could end his promising career.
Pant’s journey back to competitive cricket has been far from easy. Following the accident, which left him with significant injuries, he embarked on a grueling and exhaustive rehabilitation process. Yet, his indomitable spirit saw him not only recuperate but also return to top form in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored an impressive 446 runs in just 13 matches.
This powerful comeback paved the way for Pant’s inclusion in India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, where his performances were nothing short of stellar. He followed this up by playing an ODI series in Sri Lanka and made an appearance in the Duleep Trophy opener, demonstrating his readiness and flexibility across different formats of the game.
Pant’s last Test match dates back to before his accident, which makes his return all the more significant as he will now re-embark on his Test career right at the start of the Indian home summer. Joining him as the other wicketkeeper in the squad is the young and talented Dhruv Jurel.
The squad for the first Test includes a blend of seasoned players and fresh talents, designed to offer a versatile approach. The leading names for the series are Captain Rohit Sharma, prolific batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, as well as Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed in his debut series against England with three 50-plus scores in six innings.
KL Rahul, who has been out of action for the majority of India’s last red-ball assignment earlier this year against England due to a quadriceps injury, makes a welcome return to the side. This will be an opportunity for Rahul to solidify his position in the lineup after a period of absence.
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In the pace bowling department, Bengal’s Akash Deep has clinched the spot as the third seamer. Akash, who debuted against England in Ranchi, distinguished himself by taking nine wickets in the India A Duleep Trophy game, including an outstanding five-wicket haul. He will be joining the pace attack spearheaded by the formidable duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. In what might come as a surprise to many, the selectors have opted for uncapped left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal over the experienced Mukesh Kumar, who boasts three Test caps.
The spin line-up remains as potent as ever, featuring the seasoned quartet of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Each of these players brings their unique skill set to the table, providing the team management with a veritable arsenal of spinning options to deploy depending on pitch conditions and opposition strategies.
The Indian squad set for the first Test against Bangladesh is as follows: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
The opening Test in Chennai will be followed by the second fixture in Kanpur, starting on September 27. Post the Test series, India and Bangladesh will engage in a three-match T20I series scheduled between October 6 and 12, paving the way for more exciting cricketing action.
As Rishabh Pant returns to the Test squad after his harrowing ordeal, cricket fans across the nation are filled with anticipation and hope. His comeback story is not just an inspiration in the sporting field but also a testament to human resilience and the undying spirit to overcome life’s toughest challenges. With a balanced and formidable squad, India is all set to take on Bangladesh in a series that promises to be a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and competitive cricket.