India has recalled Rishabh Pant to the Test squad for the opening match of the two-game home series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19 in Chennai. This marks Pant’s first return to the red-ball format since his devastating accident in December 2022, reports Live Cricket Score.
After a lengthy rehabilitation process, Pant successfully returned to cricket during the IPL, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches. He was then selected for India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign and featured in an ODI against Sri Lanka. Recently, he also played in the Duleep Trophy opener. Having last appeared in a Test match just before his accident, Pant is now set to rejoin the Indian squad at the start of the home season, with Dhruv Jurel as the other wicketkeeper.
India squad for the first Test: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
Bengal pacer Akash Deep has been selected as the third seamer, joining Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Akash, who made his Test debut earlier this year against England in Ranchi, impressed with nine wickets in the Duleep Trophy, including a five-wicket haul. Mukesh Kumar, who has three Test caps, missed out, while uncapped left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal has been named in the squad. Players like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and KS Bharat have also been left out after featuring in the England series.
In the middle-order, KL Rahul makes his return alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who had a strong debut series against England, with three 50-plus scores in six innings. Rahul, who missed much of India’s last red-ball series due to injury, is expected to make an impact. India’s spin options include R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
After the first Test in Chennai, the teams will head to Kanpur for the second match, starting on September 27. The series will be followed by three T20Is from October 6 to 12.
