Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. (Credits: Twitter)

A day before the ongoing first Test against South Africa, Team India raised a number of eyebrows with their decision to drop Rishabh Pant. The team-management dropped the youngster in order to make room for the experienced Wriddhiman Saha. It was a baffling call since Rishabh Pant has done extremely well in the longest format of the game.

He made his Test debut last year in England and went on to score a century in the same series. In the following series against West Indies, he scored two fifties. Rishabh Pant then further enhanced his reputation by slamming another Test century in Australia. However, he has struggled to do well in ODIs and T20Is in recent times.

Saha, on the other hand, has not played since the Cape Town Test against South Africa at the start of 2018. Saha remained sidelined for the better part of 2018 due to an injury. He made his comeback during the West Indies tour but warmed the bench as Pant was understandably preferred ahead of him. However, the veteran has returned to the playing eleven for the ongoing Test.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant (Credits: Twitter)

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And while the decision has surprised many, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar thinks it is a right one. The ex-cricketer-turned-commentator said that while Pant has done well with the bat, Saha is a better wicketkeeper and thus deserved to play in the spinning conditions. He also said that the team-management sent a right message to the upcoming players by preferring Saha over Pant.

“Brave call but the right call. Rishabh Pant (has scored) couple of hundreds in his very short Test career but in Test matches, keeping becomes so important especially on turning pitches. With Ashwin and Jadeja bowling into rough areas, keeping becomes crucial. That’s where Saha wins hands down. I liked the call,” Manjrekar said on air.

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“It also sends a message to all the upcoming ‘keeper-batsman that keeping is important. Just this one decision has sent a strong message,” he added.

India, meanwhile, are batting first after winning the toss in Vizag. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal have started the proceedings with the bat.