Former Indian national cricket team batsman and wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has issued a major warning to the team management ahead of Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket.
Rishabh Pant is all set to play a Test match for India after a 632-day gap. He was away from cricket for a long time after his car accident in 2022. He made his T20I comeback in the 2024 T20 World Cup and his ODI comeback in the 2024 Sri Lanka tour and will make his Test comeback in the home series against Bangladesh.
The first Test between India and Bangladesh will be played on September 19 in Chennai, and the second Test will be played on September 27 in Kanpur.
Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel called Rishabh Pant an “inspiration” and highlighted his success in Test cricket, especially in SENA countries.
“He has set a great example and has become an inspiration, no doubt. The kind of accident he had and the way he recovered is absolutely remarkable. From a personal point of view, he has to be given credit. He has worked very hard, I have been in touch with him during his rehabilitation period,” Parthiv told IANS.
“So, hats off to him. As far as the Indian team is concerned, he has been a match-winner in Test format. We have seen how well he has played in various countries, so to speak, all in SENA countries. He has scored hundreds, even when playing in Indian conditions, and he has scored brilliantly in crucial Test matches.”
For me, the biggest improvement I have seen is… – Parthiv Patel on Rishabh Pant
Parthiv Patel added that Rishabh Pant has made a significant improvement in his wicketkeeping and his left-handed status brings variety to the Indian batting order.
“For me, the biggest improvement I have seen is in his wicket-keeping ability. If we can go back to that series with England in 2021, where there were positional changes, but that is where he held on brilliantly. Also, he is a left-handed attacking batsman and can take the game away in a session, these are all pluses for Rishabh Pant and the Indian team. But I think his wicket-keeping ability has been fantastic, and it is really good to see that he is adding yardage because of his wicket-keeping skills,” Parthiv Patel added.
Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel has warned the Indian team management to properly manage Rishabh Pant’s workload with the big Test season coming up. He said that Dhurv Jurel should be given a chance to play whenever there is a need to give Rishabh Pant a rest.
“It is a very difficult task for everyone to play five Test matches. But you have to see that Rishabh is also making a comeback. He had a good game in the Duleep Trophy. Now, it depends on the workload and how much time he spends on the ground as a wicketkeeper and a batsman,” the former India international explained.
“So, they will take him by the ear and see how he feels because feedback from the players is also very important. So, we might see Dhruv Jurel playing one of the five Test matches at home. But it all depends on what and how Rishabh Pant spends his time on the field.”
In total, Rishabh Pant has played 33 Test matches and scored 2271 runs at an average of 43.67, with 5 centuries and 11 fifties.
