Rishabh Pant was selected for India’s team in the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, marking his comeback to Test cricket following a serious car accident in December 2022.
The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has shown strong performances since coming back to top-level cricket last year, maintaining good form in various formats, including the team’s victory in the T20 World Cup in June.
He is set to be part of a 16-player team, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, for a two-Test series against Bangladesh, which will kick off on September 19 in Chennai.
Virat Kohli is back in the Test team after sitting out five matches against England at home for the birth of his second child.
Pant described his return to the game as a “miracle” following a crash in which his Mercedes hit a barrier, flipped, and caught fire near New Delhi.
Despite suffering from a damaged ligament in his right knee, a hurt wrist and ankle, and abrasions to his back, Pant made a strong comeback after a rigorous rehabilitation program to captain Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League this season.
Dhruv Jurel continues to serve as the team’s second wicketkeeper, as KL Rahul makes his comeback after being sidelined due to injury following the initial England Test earlier this year.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is still sidelined due to injury, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are leading the pace attack.
Left-arm bowler Yash Dayal has been called up for his first Test match, while emerging talent Akash Deep has held onto his spot.
The spinning unit consists of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.
The second Test in Kanpur is scheduled to start on September 27 with both teams participating. Three T20 internationals will follow the Tests.
The Indian team for the first Test in the Test series against Bangladesh includes: Rohit Sharma as captain, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper, Dhruv Jurel as wicketkeeper, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.