Parthiv Patel To Replace Injured Wriddhiman Saha For Second Test: Reports

Parthiv Patel is all set to mark his comeback in the playing XI after a period of more than a year as he will keep the wickets for the visitors in place of Wriddhiman Saha, who is out with a side strain. A report in TOI confirms that Saha will not take part in this Test match and it would be Patel who will be playing this game.

This will be the first Test for Patel since December 2016 when he will don the gloves at Internationals level as he last played a Test match against England in Chennai in place of an injured Saha. As soon as Saha got fit, Patel was sidelined as selectors stuck to the regular option.

Patel though sent a reminder by scoring a century and leading his team to maiden Ranji Trophy title but all was in vain. During last seven months, selectors tried out Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant on India A tours but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. When Rishabh fell sick for that second unofficial Test against New Zealand A, it was Patel who was called as the selectors had no choice.

His comeback to the national side was confirmed for the South Africa tour due to the policy of team India carrying a backup wicketkeeper for the tour outside Asia and now, he is all set to walk in the playing XI as well. Should he score runs in this game, Patel can really fix a spot for himself in the team for next game as well as Saha couldn’t do much with the bat in the first Test match.

On wicketkeeping front though, he did well but team India needs more of him off the bat as well.

The second Test of the series starts today (January 13) that will be played at SuperSport Park. Team India is currently trailing in the series by 1-0.

Follow India’s tour to South Africa here: South Africa Vs India – Freedom Series

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