A Welcome Return
After months on the sidelines due to a fractured foot, Rishabh Pant is back in the frame—and his return to the Indian Test squad couldn’t have come at a better time. The India national cricket team announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series at home against South Africa national cricket team, and Pant is back as wicket-keeper and vice-captain.
A quick look back: Pant sustained the injury during the tour of England and missed the subsequent home series against the West Indies. It meant India had to manage without his attacking wicket-keeping and batting spark for several weeks.
But now: his fitness is re-affirmed and the selectors have shown confidence. Notably, in a recent four-day game for India A vs South Africa A, Pant scored 90 in the second innings and looked like his old self.
The Implication of His Return
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Wicket-keeping & batting balance: Pant offers a dynamic blend—he’s not just the keeper, but a batsman capable of turning games. His inclusion therefore strengthens both batting depth and wicket-keeping quality.
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Leadership ripple-effect: Being named vice-captain suggests he has a voice in the team strategy. It sends a message: he’s trusted, valued and expected to contribute beyond just performance.
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Psychological boost for the squad: Having a player of Pant’s calibre back sends a strong signal to opponents and to the Indian team’s internal morale. It restores an attacking mindset one associate with his presence.
Strategic Change: A Single Bowling Swap
Alongside Pant’s return, the squad reflects a subtle yet meaningful change: Akash Deep is back in the squad, while Prasidh Krishna is omitted.
This decision is intriguing for several reasons:
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Akash Deep replaced Prasidh despite the latter being part of previous squads.
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The pace attack now has options: the ever-present Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, plus Akash Deep—offering a mix of experience, pace and seam movement.
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It might reflect selection thinking about conditions, workload, backs against the wall match-ups (South Africa often suit pace), or grooming of seamers for the future.
Why This Series Matters
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Home advantage: The two Tests kick-off in Kolkata (Eden Gardens) on 14 November, followed by Guwahati on 22 November.
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WTC stakes: This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025‑27 cycle—every point matters when strong sides are knocking at the door.
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Team India in transition: With the retirement era having begun (senior stalwarts moving on), this is an opportunity for newer names and returning players to stake their claims.
What to Watch Out For
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Pant’s match-fitness over five days: Returning from a foot fracture in Test cricket isn’t simply about availability—it’s about stamina, agility behind the stumps, bat-speed in crunch periods.
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Akash Deep’s role & impact: Will he be used as the first change or form a third pacer? How will Rahul Dravid’s or the selectors’ plan deploy him given conditions and opposition?
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Middle-order stability: With Pant back, India’s middle order gets reinforcement—but the transition remains. How will SAI Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal etc fare under pressure?
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South Africa’s challenge: The opposition arrive with intent; a white-wash will not be easy. India must convert the selection shake-up into on-field dominance.
Final Thoughts
Rishabh Pant’s return is more than just a name in the squad—it’s a rejuvenation of attacking intent, wicket-keeping excellence, and leadership injection. Coupled with the return of Akash Deep and some strategic selection shifts, the Indian side appears determined to punch hard in this home Test series.
It remains to be seen whether this translates into performance—but one thing is clear: selection has shown confidence. And now the players must deliver.