Indian cricket was given a major shock on Friday morning as star wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant suffered gruesome injuries in a shocking car accident. Pant’s car flipped multiple times and ultimately crashed into a divider before bursting into flames.
While Pant managed to survive the crash and escape the car in time which came as a source of big relief to fans across the country, he has suffered multiple injuries. A statement by the BCCI revealed that Pant has two curts on the forehead alongside a knee injury on the ligament alongside injuries on his ankle and wrist.
While Pant is out of danger and stable, it is evident that he faces a long period on the sidelines and it leaves Team India with a major task in trying to replace him for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia which is a make or break for the Rohit Sharma-led team’s hopes of making the 2023 World Test championship final.
Pant is arguably India’s most important player in Test cricket and the task of replacing him is far from easy. The wicket-keeper batter finished as India’s highest run-getter in red-ball cricket in 2022 and over the last year or two saved the Indian team on multiple occasions as the top order continues to struggle.
How can India replace Pant?
For the last year, KS Bharat has been a regular in India’s Test squad although he is yet to make his debut. Bharat has been the trusted understudy for Pant and his safe keeping skills might make him the best choice to take over the gloves. While he has struggled for form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, it will be a surprise if India look for options beyond Bharat having invested in him for the last few years.
Comeback for Wriddhiman Saha?
Life could come full circle for Wriddhiman Saha as he could return to the set up due to Pant’s injury. Veteran keeper Saha is the most experienced options available and with so much on stake against Australia, a return for him cannot be ruled out despite him not being part of the Test squad for a year now. Saha already has one ton in the Ranji Trophy this season.
Can Upendra Yadav be the solution?
Alongside KS Bharat, Upendra Yadav has been travelling with the India ‘A’ squads in recent times and played one game in Bangladesh as part of the shadow series in which he scored a solid half-century. The Railways keeper is another red-ball specialist who offers a safe option behind the stumps and a trusted batter.
Pant on Ishan Kishan?
Pant is not just India’s wicket-keeper but an explosive left-handed batter who plays a vital role in unsettling opponents. If India wants a like- for replacement, Kishan offers the ideal choice. His impressive start to the Ranji Trophy season which saw him score a century in the tournament opener against Kerala for Jharkhand and his recent success in white-ball cricket on international level might see Kishan be in line for a debut. However, it is worth remembering that he is not keeping for his stateside in red-ball cricket currently.
Samson’s time to shine?
There is hardly an Indian wicket-keeper batter at the moment with more talent and potential with the bat than Sanju Samson. His skillset with the bat could turn the needle towards him against a strong Australian bowling unit. He has scored three half-centuries in as many games in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. However, the Indian team management will have to consider if Samson’s keeping can suffice in red-ball cricket.
KL Rahul – the left-field choice?
After his poor returns in Bangladesh, KL Rahul faces a tough task to hold onto his place especially with Rohit Sharma set to return and Shubman Gill in fine form. Pant’s injury could open up a place for him as India’s wicket-keeper as it has in ODI cricket. Like in 50-over cricket, Rahul could take up a middle-order role which was the team’s plan for him in the 2021 England tour before Gill and Mayank Agarwal saw him return to the opening spot.
However, it will be surprising if India take this option as Rahul is not a regular wicket-keeper and a part-time gloveman in Tests is a huge risk especially with someone with a concerning injury record as Rahul. With the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel set to wreak havoc with the ball, India need safe hands behind the stumps.
