Rishabh Pant, who has been India’s number one keeper in the Test format for a while now, might have to make way for Wriddhiman Saha for the first Test against South Africa that begins from next month. The 21-year old is in the midst of a poor run of form, and failed once again in the recent T20I series against South Africa, where he scored 4 and 19.
According to sources, the talented Delhi player could be dropped from the playing XI for the first game that begins from October 2 at Vizag. “The selectors are in a mood to give one final chance to Pant in the first Test, but the team management want to give Saha a chance from the start itself,” a source told Times of India.
“The problem is, Pant’s lack of success with the bat is hurting his confidence and his keeping wickets too. His DRS reviews aren’t great. In Indian conditions, on turning wickets, he may struggle. Saha is a far better keeper than him, and gets a few useful runs lower down the order too,” the source added.
Despite Pant’s series of failures, the youngster has won the sympathy of the cricketing world, with chief Indian national selector MSK Prasad adding that one needs to be patient with Pant. “I have already said that post World Cup we have been concentrating on the progress of Rishabh. We need to be patient with him, considering the immense talent that he possesses,” Prasad had mentioned earlier.
However, many experts feel that Saha should be given first preference in the Test eleven. In 32 games, Saha has an average of over 30 with the bat, with three tons and five fifties to his name. The Bengal keeper was the first-choice Test keeper before getting injured during the tour of South Africa early last year. He is also in decent form of late, having scored 60 against South Africa A, and a 62 against West Indies A prior to that.