In the latest development in the cricketing world, India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is slated to make a triumphant return to Test cricket. The upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, expected to be announced on Monday, September 9, will see Pant completing his comeback journey. The 26-year-old, who has been steadily reclaiming his turf in shorter formats, is poised for a return to the longest format of the game after a significant hiatus.
Pant’s career faced a dramatic interruption following a grave car accident in late 2022 that sidelined him for 15 months. Since his return earlier this year, he’s had a mixed bag of performances across various formats, having participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL), T20 Internationals, and One-Day Internationals. Despite the ups and downs, Pant has delivered some noteworthy displays, earning the selectors’ trust and logged substantial game time, including an impressive stint in the T20 World Cup, which India clinched.
The upcoming series against Bangladesh holds particular significance for Pant, marking his first foray back into Test cricket since his last appearance against the same team in December 2022—a few days before the accident. His aggressive and impactful 61 for Team India A in the Duleep Trophy clash in Bengaluru last Saturday further reinforced his readiness for the Test arena.
However, the final decision regarding Pant’s inclusion in the playing XI rests with Indian team management, spearheaded by skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. They will have to assess whether Pant or the relatively new but impressive Dhruv Jurel, who stepped up during Pant’s absence, will take the wicketkeeper-batter role in the first Test starting September 19 in Chennai.
Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar and his committee are set to convene an online meeting on Monday to finalize the squad. Aside from Pant, the squad is expected to see minimal changes from the one that played against England in March this year in Dharamsala. Most retained their spots barring Rajat Patidar. The batting lineup will likely see captain Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli selecting themselves, but the selectors are deliberating over two or three additional batters for the 15-man squad.
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Among those vying for spots are Devdutt Padikkal, who played a commendable 65 against Bangladesh; Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 56 in Dharamsala; and KL Rahul, who missed a significant portion of the recent series due to injury. Sarfaraz Khan’s younger sibling, Musheer Khan—who showcased a stellar 181 for India B in the Duleep Trophy—is also in the spotlight, though he might have to earn his stripes in India A before stepping onto the senior international platform.
The fast-bowling lineup seems more or less settled with spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj expected to lead the attack. They might be joined by Akash Deep, who impressed with nine wickets against India B in the Duleep Trophy. The inclusion of Mukesh Kumar, the other pacer from the Dharamsala Test, remains up in the air.
The spin department, a crucial asset for home Tests, is likely to remain unchanged. Veterans R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel—who all played against England with Axar among the reserves—are expected to retain their spots.
As the squad gears up for the Tests, a crucial point of discussion for the management will be how they balance the mix of experience and emerging talent in the batting lineup. With the first Test unfolding in Chennai and the second in Kanpur starting September 27, the chosen players will need to assemble in Chennai by September 12, well in advance of the series kickoff. This will coincide with the onboarding of new bowling coach Morne Morkel, adding another layer of preparation to the team’s strategy.
In conclusion, the cricketing world keenly awaits the formal announcement, with Rishabh Pant’s much-anticipated return to Test cricket marking a symbolic full-circle moment in his embattled career. His selection will not only signify his return to form but also add a dynamic facet to an already formidable Indian squad. As the Indian cricket team braces for the upcoming challenges, Pant’s journey of resilience and determination will serve as a significant morale boost, both on and off the field.