Rishabh Pant has been rested from India’s T20 squad for the series against Bangladesh, starting October 6, to prepare for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Several other regulars are also absent, with new players like Mayank Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy included. Sanju Samson will take the role of primary keeper-batter during Pant’s absence. The T20 matches will occur on October 6, 9, and 12.
Rishabh Pant, the prominent wicketkeeper-batter for India, has been rested from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Bangladesh, commencing October 6 in Guwahati. This decision follows Pant’s impressive return to Test cricket, where he scored a remarkable century in Chennai after a 21-month hiatus. The rest period is strategically placed ahead of a significant three-match Test series against New Zealand later in October, thus allowing him ample recovery time. In addition to Pant, several key Test players including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed have also been omitted from the T20 squad in light of the impending New Zealand series. These players formed part of India’s refreshed T20 team earlier under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav during the series against Sri Lanka. The team has welcomed new members, including pacer Mayank Yadav, who showcased his talent in the previous Indian Premier League season with the Lucknow Super Giants. Notably, India’s coach Gautam Gambhir was the mentor at Lucknow during Yadav’s standout performance. Furthermore, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been called back to the squad after recovering from an injury that previously sidelined him during the Zimbabwe T20 series. Abhishek Sharma, who recently achieved a maiden T20 century against Zimbabwe, returns after missing the tour of Sri Lanka. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy receives his first call-up since the 2021 T20 World Cup, with additional inclusions being pace bowler Harshit Rana and keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. In Pant’s absence, Sanju Samson, a member of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup championship squad, will assume the position of first-choice keeper-batter. The three-match T20 series will take place on October 6, 9, and 12, with venues set in Guwahati, Delhi, and Hyderabad, respectively. The squad is as follows: 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 against Bangladesh aligns with India’s strategic focus on player fitness and performance continuity as they prepare for a critical period of international cricket. Pant’s recent return to form in Test cricket follows an extensive hiatus, marking a significant comeback. The inclusion of new players into the T20 squad signifies India’s objective to maintain a competitive edge while ensuring that key players are rested to prevent fatigue and injuries. The upcoming matches are particularly pivotal as they serve as preparation for the Test series against New Zealand, which is set to further challenge the squad’s depth and talent.
In conclusion, Rishabh Pant’s decision to rest from the T20 series against Bangladesh reflects a calculated approach by the Indian cricket team to optimize player performance ahead of a demanding Test series against New Zealand. The alterations in the squad, along with the introduction of several promising players, highlight India’s commitment to both evolving their team strategy and maintaining competitive excellence in international cricket.
Original Source: apnews.com
