The young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant had a poor Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, scoring only one half-century, which even came in the finale, in 14 matches while registered below par 113. 95 strike rate. On the other hand, in the injury-hampered season, Wriddhiman Saha had an extraordinary season, scoring back-to-back two half-centuries to secure the berth of SunRisers Hyderabad in playoffs.
As now India is set to play the marquee Test series against Australia in December, the question arises who between the two will be stationed behind the stumps.
Talking about Australia’s 2018-19 tour, Rishabh Pant had scored an important century in the fourth Test match to become only the Indian wicketkeeper to achieve the feat. At the same time, Wriddhiman Saha had missed the series because of injury.
Earlier, this year, during the tour of New Zealand, Pant was preferred over Saha although the latter had impressed in the home series. It seems Team India is favouring Pant for foreign conditions and Saha for series at home.
Rishabh Pant Or Wriddhiman Saha? Sourav Ganguly Answers
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly reckons Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha are the two best wicketkeeper-batsman. He doesn’t worry about Pant’s form, saying that he has tremendous talent and will soon get back in form.
The former Indian captain, however, took a neutral stand when asked will Pant get to play Test matches given that Saha is a better keeper and is in good batting form as well. He said that the one with the best form at that time would get the chance.
“He (Pant) and Wriddhiman Saha are our two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the country,” Ganguly told PTI.
“Don’t worry. His bat swing will come back. He is a young guy and all of us need to guide him. He’s got tremendous talent. Rishabh will be fine.
“Only one can play, so whoever is in best form will play,” Ganguly said.
Before the Test series, India and Australia will play the ODI series followed by the T20I series. Rishabh Pant has been dropped from the white-ball series while Sanju Samson has been included.