Set for his eagerly awaited Test homecoming, India’s flashy wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was in full swing at nets on Wednesday, lighting up the team’s training session at Eden Gardens ahead of the opening Test against South Africa that starts on Friday.
Pant, who had been sidelined since July due to a fractured toe from a Chris Woakes ball during the fourth Test in Manchester, gradually returned to competitive cricket during India A’s unofficial Test match against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
He scored 90 in a successful chase in the opening ‘A’ Test and followed it up with 65 in the second match, despite retiring hurt on 17. He later returned to complete his innings, underlining both his form and fitness ahead of the senior team’s Test series.
Pant continued where he left off with Team India, batting boldly and freely across several nets while dealing with both spin and pace.
Using his signature range of strokes, he battled Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja for nearly an hour. Pant displayed his unconventional best in everything from the one-handed loft down the ground and pick-up flick against pace to the reverse ramp over slip and scoop over fine leg.
His teammates nodded approvingly as he danced down to the spinners, executing inside-out drives over extra cover and sweeps from outside off to midwicket with exquisite footwork and wrist control.
In order to prepare for the low bounce and carry that are typical in subcontinental conditions, Pant started his workout with roughly fifteen minutes of wicketkeeping drills while standing near the stumps.
With openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul beginning the practice in alternate nets against pace and spin, Team India enjoyed a full-fledged session. Dhruv Jurel, who is scheduled to play as a specialist batter, also had a long hit with Pant.
