Table of Contents
Legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers has shared his views on India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The Proteas legend feels Saransh Jain fully deserved his maiden India call-up after years of hard work in domestic cricket, but he was shocked to see Rishabh Pant’s name in the squad.
De Villers also spoke about India's 3-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe under VVS Laxman's leadership after a disappointing UK tour. The India National Cricket Team is set to travel to Sri Lanka next month to play Tests that are part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), starting on August 15. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif asks BCCI to question Gautam Gambhir over Kuldeep Yadav's omission vs England.
AB de Villiers surprised by Rishabh Pant's selection in India's Test squad for Sri Lanka tour
AB de Villiers admitted that he was shocked to see Rishabh Pant's selection for India’s upcoming crucial Test series in Sri Lanka because of his poor form in the IPL 2026. He pointed out that the wicketkeeper-batter looked low on confidence and energy throughout the tournament.
However, De Villiers believes things can change quickly now that Pant is back in the Indian team. He feels representing India again could bring out the best in Pant. He also said he has always been a big fan of the left-hander and wants to see him play with full energy and aggression on the Sri Lanka tour.
AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel: “Rishabh Pant is included, which, in my opinion, is a bit of a surprise. We’ll have to see what his fitness is like and his appetite to perform because he looked slightly low on confidence and energy during the IPL. But now he’s representing India again, and I believe that will bring out the best in number 17. I’m a big fan—I just want to see him play with intensity.”
AB de Villiers hails Saransh Jain's selection
De Villiers was very happy to see Saransh Jain finally getting his first chance to play for India at the age of 33. He said Saransh has performed consistently in domestic cricket for many years and has now received the reward for his hard work.
The former South African captain explained that Saransh is a right-arm off-spinner and a left-handed batter, making him a perfect replacement for Washington Sundar. He feels Saransh can become a useful bowling option for the Indian captain Shubman Gill, especially after the ball gets older.
De Villiers further explained, “The big surprise, however, is Saransh Jain. It’s great to see him finally get his opportunity. He’s played for quite a while, and his bowling numbers are excellent. He averages just over 27, with a strike rate of around 54.
He’ll give Shubman Gill another useful option once the ball gets older in the middle overs. His batting record is also respectable, with several fifties and a couple of hundreds. I’d describe him as more of a bowling all-rounder than a batting all-rounder.”
AB de Villiers feels VVS Laxman has increased pressure on Gautam Gambhir
Meanwhile, the RCB icon said that sometimes a different coach brings fresh ideas and creates a new atmosphere in the dressing room as India failed badly in England and Ireland under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership. But the team made a stunning comeback under Laxman in Zimbabwe.
De Villiers feels players may enjoy working with someone new, and such situations can also push the main coach to improve even more. He said it will be interesting to see how things develop between Laxman and Gambhir in the future.
He signed off by saying, “I don’t know whether there’s anything more to it, but perhaps VVS Laxman is putting a bit of pressure on Gautam Gambhir and forcing him to respond. Time will tell.”
