Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback to the Indian cricket team for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. This announcement was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, highlighting Pant’s recovery from a foot fracture that had kept him out of action during the previous series against West Indies.
Last month, Pant was unable to participate in the 2-0 series defeat against the West Indies after injuring his foot during a Test match against England in September. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties for the team.
Proving his fitness, Pant showcased his form in a recent match between India A and South Africa A in Bengaluru, where he scored 90 runs in the second innings, leading his team to a three-wicket victory. His return is a significant boost for India as they prepare for the series.
Fast bowler Akash Deep also reenters the squad after missing the series with the West Indies. Both players represent strong additions as the team looks to enhance its performance against South Africa.
Key players such as team captain Shubman Gill and lead fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are expected to join the squad after the ongoing T20 series in Australia, further strengthening the lineup for the Tests.
The first Test match against South Africa is set to take place on November 14 in Kolkata, followed by the second Test scheduled for November 22 in Guwahati. This series will be critical for both teams as they vie for favorable positions in the World Test Championship standings.
South Africa welcomes back skipper Temba Bavuma, who missed the previous series in Pakistan due to a calf injury, adding to the competitiveness of the upcoming matches. Currently, India sits in third place in the World Test Championship, while South Africa holds the fourth position.
The final squad for India is as follows: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper, vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep. This robust lineup aims to put forth a strong performance in the upcoming Tests.