Rishabh Pant Emphasizes Vigilance Ahead of Bangladesh Test Series

Rishabh Pant has issued a stern warning to the Indian cricket team regarding the need to not underestimate their upcoming opponents, Bangladesh, in the two-Test series set to commence on September 19 in Chennai.

Pant highlighted Bangladesh’s recent success, noting their 2-0 series victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, as a compelling reason for India to remain focused and dedicated to their standards of performance. After Chennai, the teams will meet again in Kanpur.

India is preparing for an intensive five-month schedule, which includes ten Test matches, starting with the series against Bangladesh, followed by three Tests against New Zealand in October and November.

“Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka perform well in Asian conditions because they are accustomed to the wickets,” Pant stated. He emphasized that the Indian team must concentrate on continuous improvement to maintain their competitive edge, insisting that they must not take any series lightly.

Pant remarked, “Pressure will always be there because in international cricket, you can’t take any series lightly. The margin between winning and losing is very small, and nowadays, the gap between international teams isn’t much either.”

The wicketkeeper-batter expressed that participating in the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test series is crucial for players to gain quality match practice. This tournament will also benefit young cricketers by allowing them to play alongside international stars.

As the Duleep Trophy commenced at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and Anantapur, Pant expressed his enthusiasm to return to domestic cricket, marking his first red-ball game since December 2022.

Pant shared reflections on his journey, stating, “It is an amazing feeling for me… since I had always dreamt of winning the World Cup since I was a kid.” After a significant recovery period following a car accident, he made his competitive return during IPL 2024.

Amidst this, Pant faces competition for the wicketkeeper position after being dismissed for just seven runs in his recent appearance. Fans have suggested that other players, such as Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson, might be considered for the forthcoming series. The BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar will announce the Test squad following the conclusion of the Duleep Trophy’s opening round.