Former BCCI chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said he would completely agree with the team management if they pick Rishabh Pant ahead of Wriddhiman Saha as the wicket-keeper for the last three Tests against Australia.
Saha likely to replace by Rishabh Pant
Saha was preferred over Pant for his experience and stand-out skills with the gloves but the failures with the bat in the Adelaide Test have probably worked against him. Wriddhiman Saha is likely to face the ax as Rishabh Pant looks certain to take his place in the XI.
Prasad said that their committee (back when he was the chief selector) had decided that Pant would be their first choice wicketkeeper while playing in England and Australia.
“Look, our committee was clear that Rishabh Pant will be our first choice keeper in places like England and Australia. Only when we are looking at matches in India where you don’t need batting after number six most times, you can have a specialist keeper,” MSK Prasad was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Pant vs Australia in Test
Pant, who has been struggling to retain his place in the senior national side across all formats, will be bolstered by his record in Australia — 350 runs, including a hundred, at an average of over 50 in 4 Tests during the 2018-19 tour.
“I believe Rishabh has worked on his fitness issues during the past month and looked in good touch during the pink ball practice game. So I would agree with the team management if they give Rishabh a go for the next three Tests,” the former wicket-keeper batsman added.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, India, under Ajinkya Rahane, are all set to make as many as 4 changes to the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, starting December 26 after the 8-wicket drubbing in the series opener in Adelaide.
Also read: Changes in Team India Squad for the 2nd Test match Against Australia
