Rishabh Pant vs Wriddhiman Saha: The former Indian opening batsman was vocal about the two current wicket-keeper batsmen.
Advertisement
The discussion regarding India’s wicket-keeper batsman for the second Test of the ongoing tour of West Indies continues as the visitors seem to be in a dilemma. The two-match series further means that the team management doesn’t have many chances to solve the issue.
Post former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket in 2015, Saha had become a regular for India in the format. While Saha’s Test batting average of 30.63 isn’t something to boast about, he mostly covered it up with his exceptional wicket-keeper skills.
A series of injuries to Saha followed by Pant impressing with the bat last year changed the scenario altogether. While Pant’s batting looked enough to pin down Saha’s wicket-keeping for the first Test, it was what eventually happened.
Other than grabbing five catches in the match, Pant scored 24 and 7 in two innings. His mediocre show with the bat had once again given voice to Saha’s supporters.
Rishabh Pant vs Wriddhiman Saha
Former India wicket-keeper batsman Syed Kirmani had previously spoken against Pant being India’s wicket-keeper batsman in Tests. Kirmani didn’t shy away from stating that Pant is still in the making when it comes to the Test format.
Rishabh Pant – 47 dismissals in 10 Tests [45 catches & 2 stumpings]
The record for quickest to 50 dismissals as keeper is shared between Mark Boucher, Jonny Bairstow and Tim Paine in 10 Tests.
Pant fell three dismissals short of the record! #WIvIND
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) August 25, 2019
In a recent interview with PTI, former India opening batsman and current MP from East Delhi Gautam Gambhir backed his Delhi junior. Gambhir brought to notice Pant’s overseas centuries last year and stated that Saha needs to wait at the moment.
“When someone [Rishabh Pant] is averaging 48 [45.43] with the bat and scored a hundred each in England and Australia, he deserves to be playing Test cricket. [Wriddhiman] Saha needs to wait for his opportunity as Pant has grabbed his opportunity with both hands,” Gambhir told PTI.
