India are all set to host Australia in a four-match Test series, starting February 9 in Nagpur. The series is crucial for India with respect to the World Test Championship (WTC) final

The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win at least three Tests in the series to qualify for the final, due to be held at the Oval in June 2023.

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s team combination has become a major talking point. Rishabh Pant’s unavailability has further thrown the team combination into a quandary.

Notably, Pant was involved in a horrific car accident in December 2022. Since he continues to recover from multiple injuries, the southpaw will miss most of the action in 2023.

On the eve of the opening Test, legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev expressed his disappointment over Pant's reckless accident.

In fact, Kapil went on to say that once Rishabh recovers, he will go and 'slap' him.

“I have a lot of love for him. I want him to recover so that I can go and slap him and tell him to look after himself. Because of your accident, the entire team is in tatters. I love him, but I am also angry at him. Why do such youngsters of today’s times make such mistakes? There should be a slap for it,” Dev said.

“First blessings, that he gets all the love in the world, may the almighty give him good health. First that, but after that, like parents have this responsibility to slap the children if they make mistakes,” he said on Uncut.

Without Rishabh Pant, the hosts are looking for answers in the middle order as his swashbuckling batting has often changed India’s fortunes in a Test match.

Only player who can play a similar role in the current Indian squad is Suryakumar Yadav. However, Surya can’t perform the role of a wicketkeeper.

Ishan Kishan and KS Bharat are the two designated wicketkeepers featuring in India’s squad for the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.