Rishabh Pant will join MS Dhoni as only the second wicketkeeper to captain India in test cricket. With Shubman Gill ruled out, Pant was handed the reigns as India look to rescue the IND vs SA series following the debacle at Eden Gardens.
Given Pant's temporary elevation to captaincy, an old video of him sledging former Australian captain Tim Paine has since gone viral. Rishabh had famously made fun of the then Australian skipper during the 2018/19 tour. Paine was Australia captain for a couple years following Steve Smith's ban.
The incident happened during the 3rd Test at MCG in the 2018/19 series. Tim Paine had earlier tried to distract Pant by suggesting him to join the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL. The Indian keeper responded in style when Paine came to the crease.
"We got a special guest today. Have you ever heard of a temporary captain, ever, Mayank? You don’t need anything to get him out, boy. He loves to talk, that’s the only thing he can do, boy! Only, talking, talking!” Pant was heard saying on the stump mic.
Pant's old sledge has now come back to haunt him when he takes charge. The left-hander however is grateful for the opportunity and hopes India can mount a comeback in the series.
"I think being conventional also helps, and also adding that outside-the-box thinking definitely works out. For me, it is all about finding that balance between conventional and outside thinking, and definitely backing my instincts," he said in his press conference.
With Gill out, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sai Sudharsan both likely to return to the India XI. Dhruv Jurel is expected to bat at 4, while Sudharsan's return could see Washington Sundar return to bat lower down the order.
Pant will hope to make a mark and avenge the loss in Kolkata. India went down cheaply, and need a strong show to avoid another series whitewash.
