Rishabh Pant has been rested from the Indian squad for three T20 matches against Bangladesh to prepare for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Several other key Test players are also absent. The team includes notable newcomers like Mayank Yadav and nitrogen Kumar Reddy, with Sanju Samson set to take charge as the main keeper in Pant’s absence.
Rishabh Pant, the prominent wicket-keeper batter for the Indian cricket team, has been excluded from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, which commences on October 6 in Guwahati. This decision comes on the heels of Pant’s commendable return to Test cricket, during which he scored an impressive century in Chennai following a lengthy break of 21 months from the format. The rest that Pant has been afforded aims to enable him to prepare for the subsequent three-Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin later in October. In addition to Pant, other key players such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed have also been omitted from the T20 lineup as they transition into focus on the New Zealand series. These players previously featured in a revamped T20 setup under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav during the series against Sri Lanka. The team selection includes promising fast bowler Mayank Yadav, who showcased notable performance in the last Indian Premier League season with the Lucknow Super Giants. Yadav’s achievements during that season—taking seven wickets in four matches—have been acknowledged, particularly given that India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, was a mentor at Lucknow. Furthermore, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been named in the squad after recovering from an injury that sidelined him during the Zimbabwe T20 series. Another notable inclusion is left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma, who returns following a strong T20 performance against Zimbabwe. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy has received his first call-up since the T20 World Cup in 2021, complemented by the inclusion of pacer Harshit Rana and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. In Pant’s absence, Sanju Samson, a member of the squad that triumphed at the 2024 T20 World Cup, is expected to take the role of the primary wicket-keeper. The T20 matches against Bangladesh will take place in Guwahati, Delhi, and Hyderabad on October 6, 9, and 12, respectively.
The decision to rest Rishabh Pant from the T20 squad is strategic, aimed at ensuring the player is fully prepared and revitalized for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Pant’s return to cricket has been noteworthy, particularly due to his performance in Test matches after a significant hiatus. The collective omission of other regular Test players reflects a broader strategy to prioritize the upcoming longer format matches. The squad sees a blend of seasoned players alongside emerging talents, indicating India’s focus on future competitions.
In conclusion, the Indian cricket team’s decision to rest Rishabh Pant and several other key players ahead of the T20 series against Bangladesh signifies a careful management of player workload in anticipation of the challenging Test series against New Zealand. The new squad features emerging talents and seasoned players, underscoring India’s commitment to developing a robust team framework for future tournaments.
Original Source: apnews.com
