Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has applauded Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant before the first Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, starting Wednesday, December 14. He called him a world-class player in the longer format. So far, Pant has scored five Test centuries – against England (thrice), Australia and South Africa – in 31 Tests. He was the Player of the Series during the 2021-22 tour of Australia, which India won 2-1 to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Danish Kaneria said: “Rishabh Pant is a world-class player in red-ball cricket. He has proved it not only in India but also Australia. He has made us believe that Test cricket is his game. I think we’ll witness blistering batting from him. In Tests, he is one of the finest wicketkeeper batters. The way he bats and changes the game. His intent is very good.”
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However, Danish Kaneria also feels that it will be a crucial series for Cheteshwar Pujara, as Team India will play a Test series after a gap of more than five months as well. Notably, Pujara has had a great season for Sussex in County Championship Division Two (1094 runs at 60.10) and the Royal London One Day Cup (624 at 89.19) this year as well.
“This series is also very important for Cheteshwar Pujara. He scored runs in England before his comeback. India need him to score runs.”
Danish Kaneria also believes that Abhimanyu Easwaran should get a Test cap after his consistent performances in domestic cricket. Easwaran has scored 5,576 runs in 78 first-class matches at an average of 45.33, including 18 tons and 23 half-centuries as well.
He said: “Abhimanyu Easwaran should make his debut. He has done all the hard work. He has consistently scored runs over the last few seasons.”
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India’s updated squad for Bangladesh Tests: KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat
