Big update on Rishabh Pant's Team India comeback, all set to return from South Africa series

India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is slated to return to India's Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa, which will get underway from November 14 in Kolkata. According to a ESPNcricinfo report, Pant's inclusion, replacing N Jagadeesan, is expected to be the sole change following the selection meeting held on Wednesday, November 5. Pant had been sidelined from India's previous Test series against the West Indies as he recovered from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in Manchester back in July.

Rishabh Pant Set for Test Return Against South Africa

Pant comprehensively proved his match readiness by captaining the India A side to victory in their first four-day game against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru last week. He led India A from the front and cracked a match-winning 90 in the second innings, which helped his team overhaul the 275-run target and take 1-0 lead in the series.

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Several key players currently engaged in the T20I series against Australia are set to join the Test squad once the five-match series concludes on November 8. This group includes India's Test captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. In preparation for the upcoming Tests, spinner Kuldeep Yadav was strategically released from the T20I squad after the third match in Hobart to allow him to gain match practice in the second India A four-day game against South Africa A, starting on November 6.

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The two-match Test series against South Africa will kick off on November 14 in Kolkata, with the second Test beginning on November 22 in Guwahati. Notably, Guwahati will be hosting a Test match for the very first time. In the context of the World Test Championship, India currently hold the third position with 61.90 per cent points. Meanwhile, South Africa are positioned fifth with 50% points, following their recent 1-1 drawn series in Pakistan.