Rishabh Pant has made a triumphant return to India’s Test squad for the series opener against South Africa, set to begin November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter replaces N. Jagadeesan following a strong showing for India A, where he scored a vital 90 in the second innings to guide his side to a successful chase of 275 against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Pant’s inclusion was confirmed during a selection committee meeting on Wednesday, marking his first Test appearance since suffering a foot fracture in the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July. His proven fitness and form have secured his role as vice-captain under Shubman Gill for the upcoming two-match series.

The rest of the squad remains unchanged from India’s previous home series against the West Indies. Key players including captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar are currently part of the ongoing five-match T20I series in Australia and will join the Test setup after its conclusion on November 8. Kuldeep Yadav has been released early following the third T20I in Hobart to participate in India A’s second four-day warm-up against South Africa A, starting November 6 in Bengaluru. This strategic move allows the left-arm wrist-spinner additional red-ball preparation ahead of the demanding South African challenge.

The series holds significant importance in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with India currently third in the standings at 61.90% points and South Africa fifth at 50%, following their 1-1 draw in Pakistan. After Kolkata, the teams will travel to Guwahati for the second Test starting November 22, marking the city’s inaugural Test match. The full squad comprises Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep. Pant’s aggressive batting and sharp glovework are expected to bolster India’s middle order and counter South Africa’s pace-heavy attack.

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Pant’s journey back to Test cricket exemplifies resilience and determination. Sidelined for months due to injury, his recent performances in domestic and India A fixtures signal a full recovery. His leadership in the warm-up victory, combined with his proven match-winning ability in Test cricket—including centuries in England and Australia—makes him a pivotal figure in India’s plans. As the team balances white-ball commitments in Australia with red-ball preparations at home, Pant’s return injects energy and experience into a squad aiming to strengthen its WTC position and kick off the South Africa series on a commanding note.

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