Anik Kumble, head coach of Indian cricket team, has revealed the reason why Parthiv Patel was chosen in the squad for the third Test vs England at Mohali as there were questions why Rishabh Pant was ignored, despite being the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy so far.
Kumble said: “Yes, Rishabh has certainly shown the exuberance and what a young cricketer can bring in. He has shown a lot of his batting skills. He has obviously got a lot of runs this season in the domestic circuit. But Parthiv was chosen for his keeping skills as well, keeping and his experience. Regarding Dinesh, at the moment I don’t think Dinesh is keeping wickets for Tamil Nadu, and I am not sure why that is the case. But at the moment, from what I gather, he has not been keeping wickets for Tamil Nadu.
“I think it’s unfortunate that Saha is missing out in this Test match, he had a strain on the final day of the Test match. He was obviously in the starting the lineup for this but the scans yesterday showed that there was a little bit of tendonitis, that’s why it was better that we gave him a break from this Test match. Parthiv has been really consistent, both in his keeping as well as batting. That’s why Parthiv was chosen,” Kumble added.
There are clear indications that Mohali pitch will be spin-friendly but it is not expected to be rank turner, a pitch which we are yet to witness in the series so far.
Speaking on this matter Kumble said: “Certainly gone a lot slower to what it probably used to be in the 90s. But having said that, I am someone who certainly does not give too much importance to the conditions. We need to play good cricket. I certainly believe that we played good cricket, both in Rajkot and in Vizag. That’s why we are 1-0 ahead in the series. We will have to do that again, repeat that again in Mohali, no matter what the conditions are. Like I said over the years, I think it has certainly gone slightly slower, not necessarily the way it used to be in the early 90s.”
It looks like Indian selectors have made a right choice by selecting Parthiv Patel as Rishabh Pant still has a long way to go. Also, this will probably be the last chance for Parthiv, who is already 31 and with a flurry of wicket-keepers present in domestic circuit, he’ll have to be really good in both his departments.
The third Test between India and England starts from November 26 at Mohali. India is already 1-0 up in the series.