Rishabh Pant Rested for Upcoming T20 Series Against Bangladesh
Rishabh Pant has been rested for the T20 series against Bangladesh starting October 6, as India prepares for a forthcoming Test series against New Zealand. Several other key players have also been left out, making way for newer talent such as Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Sanju Samson will serve as the foremost wicketkeeper in Pant’s absence.
Rishabh Pant, the star wicketkeeper-batter for India, has been rested for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, commencing on October 6 in Guwahati. This decision follows Pant’s impressive return to Test cricket after a hiatus of 21 months, where he notably scored a blistering century in Chennai. The management has strategically decided to provide him with this break ahead of a demanding three-match Test series against New Zealand later in the month. Additionally, several other key players, including Test regulars Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed, have also been excluded from the T20 squad, further indicating a shift towards prioritizing preparations for the upcoming New Zealand series. The current selection features a new-look T20 side, previously utilized under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav during the tour of Sri Lanka. In terms of new entrants, pacer Mayank Yadav has received his call-up following impressive performances in the previous Indian Premier League season with the Lucknow Super Giants, where he was mentored by India’s coach Gautam Gambhir. Furthermore, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had been sidelined due to injury, is poised to make his return after missing the T20 series against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma returns to the squad following his maiden T20 century against Zimbabwe, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy also makes a return after not featuring since the 2021 T20 World Cup. In Pant’s absence, Sanju Samson, who was part of the triumphant squad for India’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, is expected to take over as the primary wicketkeeper-batter. The series will consist of matches scheduled for October 6, 9, and 12 in Guwahati, Delhi, and Hyderabad, respectively. The T20 squad includes Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Jitesh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav.
The decision to rest Rishabh Pant from the T20 series underscores India’s broader strategic approach towards managing player workload and preparing specifically for critical upcoming series, particularly the Tests against New Zealand. Pant’s earlier performance upon his return to Test cricket demonstrates his capability while highlighting the need for careful resource planning as the Indian cricket team transitions through different formats. The selection of a new T20 squad also indicates a focus on integrating emerging talent and providing opportunities to players who have shown promise in domestic leagues.
In summary, Rishabh Pant’s rest from the T20 series reflects India’s commitment to maintaining player health and performance ahead of a critical stretch of Test matches. With a mix of established players and fresh talent included in the T20 squad, this series against Bangladesh represents an opportunity for the team to test their depth while ensuring that key players remain fit for the challenges ahead.
Original Source: apnews.com
