Rishabh Pant or Wriddhiman Saha? Who will be India’s keeper for Australia Tests

The Adelaide Pink Ball Test is just two days away and there is a major competition for the wicketkeeper’s spot in the Indian cricket team. There is a big debate as to who should be selected as the wicketkeeper for India’s first overseas Day-Night Test. Should it be Rishabh Pant or Wriddhiman Saha? Both players had some good returns in the two warm-up games against Australia A at Drummoyne Oval and Sydney Cricket Ground. Rishabh Pant smashed a magnificent century off just 73 balls in Sydney while Wriddhiman Saha scored a composed fifty in the opening warm-up game at Drummoyne Oval. However, the circumstances in the two knocks by Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha might come into play when the Indian cricket team selects the playing 11 for the opening Test of the four-match series.

Rishabh Pant smashed 103 off 73 balls with nine fours and six sixes but he was primarily taking the attack to legspinner Mitchell Swepson and part-timer Nic Maddinson. The game was under India’s control after a century by Hanuma Vihari and fifties from Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill. Wriddhiman Saha scored a duck in the first innings. However, in Drummoyne Oval, Wriddhiman Saha hit a crucial 54 and shared a partnership of 56 for the last wicket with Kartik Tyagi as India managed to salvage a draw against an Australia A attack comprising of James Pattinson and Michael Neser. However, Wriddhiman Saha has also gotten out for two ducks in the three innings that he has played.

Pant’s good record in Australia

The Indian cricket team has not yet revealed the team combination and coach Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli, assistant coach Bharat Arun and selector Harvinder Singh will be assessing the performance of Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant, according to a PTI report. Wriddhiman Saha averages over 30 and has taken over 100 dismissals in Tests and is considered a solid, safe option with the bat. However, Rishabh Pant cannot be ruled out entirely.

In the 2018/19 series against Australia, Rishabh Pant took 21 dismissals and smashed a magnificent century in Sydney while the 23-year-old turned the tables on Australia with his constant chirping. The confidence that Rishabh Pant has got after his ton, albeit against an Australia A side that gave up the match which invited sharp criticism from Australia legend Allan Border, cannot be discounted.