Rishabh Pant has been rested from India’s T20 squad for the series against Bangladesh, beginning October 6. This decision allows him a break before a Test series against New Zealand. Several other regular players have been excluded to manage fatigue, while a mix of new talent has been included, with Sanju Samson stepping in as the first-choice wicketkeeper.
Rishabh Pant, the prominent wicketkeeper-batsman for India, has been granted a rest from the national squad for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, commencing on October 6 in Guwahati, India. This decision follows his impressive return to Test cricket, where he scored a remarkable century in Chennai after a hiatus of 21 months. The management has decided to allow him some time off in preparation for an impending Test series against New Zealand later this month. In addition to Pant, several other established players such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed have also been omitted from the T20 roster as part of the strategy leading up to the New Zealand fixtures. These players had participated in India’s revised T20 squad led by captain Suryakumar Yadav during the recent excursion to Sri Lanka. The T20 squad has seen the inclusion of pace bowler Mayank Yadav, who shone during the previous Indian Premier League season with the Lucknow Super Giants, where he garnered attention with seven wickets in just four matches. Notably, India’s coach Gautam Gambhir was Yadav’s mentor at Lucknow. Furthermore, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been recalled after an injury sidelined him during the Zimbabwe T20 series. Abhishek Sharma, a left-handed opener who recently scored his first T20 century against Zimbabwe, has also rejoined the squad following his absence during the Sri Lanka tour. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy receives his first call-up since the T20 World Cup in 2021, while Harshit Rana and keeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma complete the squad. In Pant’s absence, Sanju Samson, a member of India’s squad expected to compete in the 2024 T20 World Cup, will take on the role of primary wicketkeeper. The T20 matches against Bangladesh are scheduled to be held on October 6, 9, and 12, across Guwahati, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
The Indian national cricket team is preparing to compete in a series of T20 matches against Bangladesh, which are strategically planned ahead of a critical Test series against New Zealand. The absence of key players such as Rishabh Pant indicates a focus on player management and fatigue reduction, particularly after the rigorous demands of international cricket. This also marks an opportunity for newer players to showcase their potential on the international stage, as seen with the inclusion of emerging talents in the squad.
In summary, Rishabh Pant has been rested from the Indian T20 squad for the series against Bangladesh, allowing him recovery time ahead of future Test matches. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned and emerging talents aimed at strengthening the team’s performance while preparing for the more demanding format of Test cricket. Sanju Samson will step in as the leading wicketkeeper during Pant’s absence, as India seeks to balance player health and competitive readiness.
Original Source: apnews.com
