New Delhi: Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will make a strong comeback to India’s Test squad for the two-match series against South Africa, beginning November 14 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee met online on Wednesday and confirmed the Rishabh Pant comeback, finalizing his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket. The BCCI is likely to announce the squad in the next few days.
Pant, 28, missed the West Indies Tests after fracturing his foot during the England series in July. Now fully fit, he will replace N Jagadeesan as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
Pant showed top form while captaining India A to victory against South Africa A in Bengaluru. He smashed 90 runs in the second innings and guided the team to a thrilling chase of 275. His performance proved that he has regained both match fitness and confidence.
Kuldeep Yadav will play in the second India A game after exiting the T20I squad, while Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar will join the Test side once the T20 series in Brisbane ends on November 8.
India will face South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata from November 14–18, followed by the second in Guwahati from November 22–26 — the city’s first-ever Test match.
India stands third in the World Test Championship with 61.90% points, while South Africa holds the fifth spot with 50%. After the Test series, both teams will play three ODIs and five T20Is, along with a three-match 50-over series between their A sides in Rajkot later this month.
–IANS
