Rishabh Pant’s eagerly anticipated return to Test cricket is set to complete his international comeback, as the wicketkeeper-batter is expected to be named in the Indian squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, with the official announcement likely on Monday (September 9). Since making his return earlier this year following a 15-month hiatus spurred by a serious car accident at the end of 2022, Pant has participated in various shorter formats, including the IPL, T20 Internationals, and One-Day Internationals. Now, he stands on the cusp of resuming his Test career.
The selection of the 26-year-old Pant appears almost certain, although the final decision regarding his inclusion in the playing XI for the first Test, slated to commence in Chennai on September 19, rests with the team management, comprising skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. Pant is likely to face stiff competition from Dhruv Jurel, who left a mark during the series against England in Pant’s absence. The intricate decision-making, however, will be managed later by the team management, not by Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee, who are scheduled to meet online on Monday to formalize the squad.
Pant’s journey back to international cricket has been a mixed bag of performances. His white-ball exploits have shown flashes of brilliance, earning him a spot in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign where he featured in every game. Adding weight to his selection, Pant delivered a characteristic aggressive and effective knock of 61 in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy match against Team India A in Bengaluru on Saturday. It is notable that his last appearance in a Test match was also against Bangladesh in December 2022, just days before the harrowing accident.
The broader team selection is expected to see minimal changes from the lineup that played the last Test in India against England in Dharamsala back in March. Most of the batters, save for Rajat Patidar, are anticipated to retain their positions. The pace bowling attack will likely be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, with Akash Deep, who garnered attention by taking nine wickets for India A against India B in the Duleep Trophy, poised to be the third seamer.
. The availability of Mukesh Kumar, another pacer from the previous Dharamsala Test, remains speculative.
The spin department, featuring the reliable quartet of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel (who was among the reserves in Dharamsala), is expected to remain unchanged. Nevertheless, the key focus for the selectors will be on formulating the optimal batting lineup.
With skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli virtually assured of their spots, the selectors must shortlist two or three additional batters to complete the 15-man squad. Devdutt Padikkal is a strong contender with his solid 65 in the Dharamsala Test strengthening his case. The remaining spot(s) could be contested among Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, or potentially both. Sarfaraz impressed with a fine knock of 56 in Dharamsala, whereas KL Rahul missed the majority of the series due to injury.
Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan’s brother, made headlines with a commendable knock of 181 under pressure for India B in the Duleep Trophy. Despite the promising performance, Musheer might have to wait longer as selectors may opt to field him in the India A team first.
After the Chennai Test concludes on September 23, the second Test will kick off on September 27 in Kanpur. Selected players are expected to assemble in Chennai by September 12, by which time the newly appointed bowling coach, Morne Morkel, will join the team.
This forthcoming selection and subsequent campaign against Bangladesh are crucial spells, marking significant milestones for Pant and the Indian Test team as a whole. With the assemblage of seasoned campaigners and bright prospects, the squad aims to consolidate its prowess in international cricket, starting with this much-anticipated series.