It seems the Indian team management know what's the best for the team and this means picking the best wicketkeeper in the playing XI for the upcoming three-Test series against South Africa. The first Test will begin from October 2nd in Vizag.
This means the time has run out for Rishabh Pant, who had failed to score big in the two Tests against West Indies and then scored just 4 and 19 in the two T20I matches against South Africa. according to reports, the talented youngster could be omitted from the XI for the Vizag Test. Instead, the experienced Wriddhiman Saha being preferred instead.
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“The selectors are in a mood to give one final chance to Pant in the first Test, but the team management (coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli) wants Saha to play from the start of the series itself,” a source told Times of India.
This can be said as a big blow to Pant’s confidence, given that chief selector MSK Prasad had anointed him as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for all the three formats. “The problem is, Pant’s lack of success with the bat is hurting his confidence while keeping wickets too. His DRS reviews aren’t great. In Indian conditions, on turning wickets, he may struggle. Saha is a far better ‘keeper than him, and get a few useful runs lower down the order too,” the source said.
In 32 Tests, Saha enjoys an average of 30.63, with three hundreds and five fifties under his belt. The 34-year-old from Bengal was India’s regular Test gloveman before a shoulder injury ruled him out of international cricket since January 2018.
He is also coming off 60 against South Africa A at Mysuru, and 62 against West Indies A before that, boosting his confidence and chances to be picked in the playing XI.
(Times of India inputs)
