Rishabh Pant has been rested from the Indian T20 squad ahead of a three-match series against Bangladesh starting on October 6. Several regulars are absent from the squad, allowing new talents like Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Abhishek Sharma to participate. Sanju Samson will take on the role of primary wicketkeeper during this series.
India’s prominent wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, will not participate in the upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, commencing on October 6th in Guwahati. This decision comes after Pant’s commendable return to test cricket, where he notched a remarkable century in Chennai following a hiatus of 21 months. The management has opted to provide him with some respite ahead of the impending test series against New Zealand scheduled for later in October. Several other established players, including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed, have also been omitted from the T20 squad as the team prepares for the New Zealand series. These players previously featured in India’s restructured T20 team under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav during the Sri Lanka tour. In terms of squad changes, pace bowler Mayank Yadav is being introduced, having made a significant impression in the last Indian Premier League season with the Lucknow Super Giants, where he accumulated seven wickets across four matches. Former Lucknow mentor Gautam Gambhir currently serves as India’s coach. Additionally, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had to forfeit participation in the Zimbabwe T20 series due to injury, has been included in the squad. Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma, noted for scoring his first T20 century against Zimbabwe, returns to the fold after his absence from the Sri Lanka tour. Varun Chakravarthy, celebrated for his previous performances, is also making a comeback to the squad since the T20 World Cup in 2021. The squad also features Harshit Rana as a pace option and Jitesh Sharma in the wicketkeeping role. With the absence of Pant, Sanju Samson will assume responsibilities as the primary wicketkeeper. The T20 matches will take place on October 6, 9, and 12 in the cities of Guwahati, Delhi, and Hyderabad, respectively.
The decision to rest Rishabh Pant from the T20 series against Bangladesh highlights a strategic approach by the Indian cricket management to ensure player fitness and performance readiness for future key series. Pant’s recent return to test cricket, marked by an impressive performance, underscores his importance in the lineup, while also providing an opportunity for other players to showcase their talents. The series against New Zealand is positioned as a critical segment in preparing for future competitions, thus necessitating a selective approach to squad composition ahead of it. The introduction of emerging players reflects a focus on developing depth within the team as well as adapting to the current competitive landscape in international cricket.
In summary, Rishabh Pant’s rest from the T20 series against Bangladesh is a calculated decision aimed at maintaining his performance levels for the upcoming series against New Zealand. The omission of several regular T20 players alongside the introduction of newer talents highlights India’s focus on preparation and squad development in the build-up to more significant matches. With Sanju Samson stepping into the role of primary wicketkeeper, the team bears the potential to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in Pant’s absence.
Original Source: apnews.com
