Australia vs India: Here's Why Wriddhiman Saha Is Set To Play The 1st Test Ahead Of Rishabh Pant

Wriddhiman Saha is reportedly set to get the nod ahead of Rishabh Pant for the upcoming first Test against Australia. The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between the two teams is set to start on December 17 with the historic day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval.

As India prepare for the crucial game, the cricketing fraternity is busy in discussing about who should be the team’s wicketkeeper for the game. In overseas conditions, Rishabh Pant has been the team’s first choice because of his batting and it was evident once again earlier this year.

Wriddhiman Saha was the wicketkeeper during India’s entire home season last year. However, Rishabh Pant kept the wickets in both the Tests during the series in New Zealand earlier this year. Team India is yet to reveal the wicketkeeper for the series-opener.

But according to a report in PTI, ‘Wriddhiman Saha’s far superior glovework may be given preference over Rishabh Pant’s blazing blade’ in the upcoming clash. As per the report, the team-management thinks that Saha’s superior glovework and also safe batting should be valued more at this point of time.

Coach Ravi Shastri, captain Virat Kohli, assistant coaches Vikram Rathour, Bharat Arun and travelling selector Harvinder Singh will be assessing both Rishabh Pant and Saha’s performance based on their individual contributions in match situations.

In the first tour game, Saha scored a fighting fifty in the second innings when India could have lost the game. Up against a strong attack, he scored 54 when the team was reeling at 143 for 9 and salvaged a draw. The attack that Saha faced had James Pattinson, Michael Neser and Cameron Green, which was international standard.

Pant, on the other hand, scored a century in the second tour game but by the time he came to the crease, India were already in superior position. Moreover, Australia A were bowling with a depleted attack. The report pointed out that these two knocks could tilt the balance in Saha’s favour.

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