Young wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant had an unforgettable birthday celebration in the Indian dressing room as pictures surfaced on social media with his face completely covered in cake. Pant, who turned 22 on Friday, wasn’t included in the playing XI for the first Test against South Africa in Visakhapatnam as Wriddhiman Saha got the nod ahead of him. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) uploaded images on social media and the post read: “Happy birthday @rishabpant.”
Pant was included in the Indian Test side following Saha’s injury and after the Bengal wicket-keeper regained fitness, the management gave him the nod ahead of Pant, especially because of the conditions at home, which is expected to assist the spinners.
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“Yes Saha is fit and fine to go. He is going to start the series for us. His keeping credentials are for everyone to see. He has done well with the bat whenever he has got a chance. It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper the world. With these conditions he starts for us,” said Kohli on the eve of first Test.
“It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper in the world. With these conditions he starts for us,” he added.
{{/usCountry}}“It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper in the world. With these conditions he starts for us,” he added.
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The Bengal keeper last played a Test during the South Africa tour in January 2018 before he was out of the team owing to a shoulder injury, followed by a thumb problem.