India have announced the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to the Test side for the first match of the two-game home series against Bangladesh. The series is set to kick off on September 19 in Chennai. This selection marks the first time Pant has been called back to the red-ball format following a devastating accident in December 2022 that left his cricketing future uncertain.
Pant has undergone an extensive and challenging rehabilitation process, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the game. His strong performance in the IPL, where he amassed 446 runs in just 13 matches, played a crucial role in his selection. Following his successful outing in the IPL, Pant was part of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad and subsequently featured in an ODI in Sri Lanka. Most recently, Pant participated in the Duleep Trophy opener, further proving his readiness for a return to the Test arena.
In his comeback to the Test format, Pant will be joined by Dhruv Jurel, another wicketkeeper in the squad. The last time Pant donned the whites for India was just before his catastrophic accident, and his return now coincides with the beginning of the Indian home summer.
The full squad for the first Test against Bangladesh is as follows: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
An interesting inclusion is Bengal pacer Akash Deep, who has been selected as the third seamer in the side. Akash has had an impressive run, particularly in the Duleep Trophy, where he took nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul. He made his Test debut against England in Ranchi earlier this year and has continued to impress selectors with his consistent performances. Akash joins the pace attack alongside senior bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Notably, Mukesh Kumar, who has three Test caps, did not make the cut for this series.
. In addition to Mukesh, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and KS Bharat, all of whom featured in the series against England, are also missing from the current squad.
Among the middle-order batsmen, KL Rahul makes his return to the Test side after missing four matches of the five-Test series against England earlier this year due to a quadriceps injury. Sarfaraz Khan, who impressed with three half-centuries in six innings during his debut series against England, also retains his place in the squad.
The Indian side has reinforced its spin department with four proficient spinners: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The depth in the spin department is a testament to India’s heavy reliance on spin-friendly conditions, especially in home series matches.
Following the opening Test in Chennai, the teams will travel to Kanpur for the second Test, which is scheduled to start on September 27. Post the Test series, India and Bangladesh will face off in a three-match T20I series set to occur between October 6 and 12.
The anticipation surrounding Pant’s return is palpable. His journey back, marked by determination and sheer grit, has been nothing short of inspirational. Cricketing pundits and fans alike are eager to see if Pant can replicate his previous performances and fortify India’s batting lineup. With his dynamic batting and excellent wicketkeeping skills, Pant has the potential to be a game changer for India in this series.
The upcoming series against Bangladesh is critical for the Indian cricket team. It’s not just an opportunity for redemption but also a chance to assess and solidify their squad composition before heading into more challenging international fixtures. The combination of seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli alongside promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan provides a balanced blend of experience and fresh energy.
As the cricketing fraternity gears up for this highly awaited Test series, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Chennai, where the stage is set for Rishabh Pant’s remarkable return to India’s Test team.