Rishabh Pant’s return to cricket is nearing completion with his expected inclusion in India's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, likely to be announced on Monday, September 9. After a 15-month break following a severe car accident in late 2022, the wicketkeeper-batter has made his way back into the game, having played in shorter formats such as IPL, T20 Internationals, and ODIs. Now, Pant is set to rejoin the Test team.
The 26-year-old's selection is almost guaranteed, but the decision on whether he plays in the first Test, starting in Chennai on September 19, will be left to captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. Pant will face competition from Dhruv Jurel, who impressed during Pant's absence in the series against England. However, the final call will rest with the team management, not with the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, who will convene online on Monday to finalise the squad.
Pant's performances since his return have been inconsistent, but he has delivered some notable displays in limited-overs cricket. He participated in every match of the T20 World Cup, which India won, further solidifying his place in the selectors' minds. In the recent Duleep Trophy, Pant bolstered his case with a typically aggressive knock of 61 against Team India A. Coincidentally, his last Test match also came against Bangladesh in December 2022, just days before his near-fatal car crash.
Apart from Pant, few changes are anticipated in the lineup from the previous Test against England in Dharamsala this past March. Most of the batters, with the possible exception of Rajat Patidar, are expected to retain their places. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, with Akash Deep likely joining them after his impressive nine-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy. Mukesh Kumar’s inclusion remains uncertain.
The spin department is expected to remain unchanged, with R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel continuing from the Dharamsala Test. However, the main challenge for the selectors will be finalising the batting lineup.
With established players like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli certain of their spots, the selectors may need to pick two or three more batters for the 15-man squad. Devdutt Padikkal, who impressed with a 65 in Dharamsala, could be one option. For other positions, it could come down to a choice between Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul—or perhaps both. Sarfaraz’s 56 in Dharamsala stands in his favour, while KL Rahul missed most of that series due to injury.
Sarfaraz Khan’s younger brother, Musheer Khan, who delivered a remarkable 181 under pressure for India B in the Duleep Trophy, is unlikely to be called up just yet. The selectors are expected to give him more time with India A before considering him for the senior team. The first Test in Chennai will conclude on September 23, followed by the second in Kanpur, starting on September 27. The selected players will assemble in Chennai by September 12, by which time new bowling coach Morne Morkel is expected to join the team.