It's Time To Get Him Into The Team - Deep Dasgupta Backs Indian Wicketkeeper-Batsman To Be A Part Of The Team In The Second Test

Former India cricketer, Deep Dasgupta strongly feels that Rishabh Pant should be included in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne commencing on 26th December. Dasgupta’s comments came after India’s horror show in the second innings in Adelaide.

On Day 3 of the first Test, the Indian team was humiliated by the Australian fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in particular, as the visitors recorded their lowest total in Test history. As India concede a shameful loss, changes galore for the second Test in Melbourne.

One of which could be the return of left-handed Rishabh Pant in the eleven. The management made the bold call of selecting Wriddhiman Saha over Pant for the first Test despite the latter scoring a 73-ball hundred in the second warm-up match. Saha being a better keeper than Pant is the only explicable reason for this decision.

While the Bengal keeper is a better gloveman than Pant, he isn’t by any means a better batsman than the left-hander. Saha hit his last fifty-plus score way back in 2017 against Sri Lanka. On the contrary not only Pant has been amongst heavy runs in the IPL – baring the 2020 season – he was indeed the first-choice overseas keeper for India.

Pant played ahead of Saha in the New Zealand tour earlier in the year. He also notched his second Test hundred on India’s previous tour to Australia– after scoring one in England as well. Saha returned with scores of 9 and 4 in Adelaide.

Saha did not look comfortable against Australia: Deep Dasgupta

Deep Dasgupta observed that Saha and opener, Prithvi Shaw did not look comfortable at all against the Australian pacers. Hence, the former India keeper opines that it is time that the 23-year-old be recalled in Test eleven.

As quoted by India Today, Deep Dasgupta said, “Couple of things, firstly he [Wriddhiman Saha] did not look comfortable, same with Prithvi [Shaw]. Two innings, generally we say it’s just two innings we can’t judge, you shouldn’t judge, but again the look of it – both Prithvi and Wriddhiman just tells you that maybe it’s time you look at Rishabh [Pant] – that’s one.”

The 43-year-old reckons that Saha failed horribly with the bat and also dropped a couple of catches – a bit difficult though – and therefore the Delhi Capitals keeper should be given a go in Melbourne.

“And secondly, he [Saha] was your first choice, you’ve given him an opportunity and he did not work. Again, it’s not just the quantum, it’s the way he was batting. So I think it’s time to get Rishabh,” Deep Dasgupta added.

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