IND vs AUS: 6 Contenders can Replace Rishabh Pant, One is Rooted in Century after Century

Australia has announced its team for the 4 Test series against India. The Indian team is yet to announce the team for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, but the biggest question before it is the replacement of Rishabh Pant. Rishabh Pant became a victim of a serious car accident on the morning of 30 December 2022. He is hospitalized after this car accident. According to reports, it may take about a year for him to recover. In such a situation, first of all, for the India vs Australia Test series starting on February 9, Team India will need a wicketkeeper-batsman as a replacement for Rishabh Pant. The names of 6 players are coming out in the claim to replace Rishabh Pant. Now it has to be seen who wins out of all these.

He has also been the reserve wicketkeeper in the Indian Test team in the absence of Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha

KS Bharat: The player whose name is coming first for the replacement of Rishabh Pant in the India vs Australia Test series is KS Bharat. The 29-year-old Bharath from Andhra Pradesh has been an important part of India A. He has also been the reserve wicketkeeper in the Indian Test team in the absence of Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha. Against New Zealand, instead of Saha’s substitute, he came on the ground for wicketkeeping for 12 minutes and he impressed through two catches and one stumping. In 85 first class matches, Bharat has scored 4627 runs at an average of 37.61.

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Fans on social media have called him the best replacement for Rishabh in Tests.

Sarfaraz Khan: These days, if there is a demand in the social media to include any player in the Indian Test team, then it is Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz Khan, 25, of Mumbai has performed amazingly in the domestic circuit in the recent past. His first class average has been in constant discussion. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season too, he has scored two blistering centuries, after which fans on social media have called him the best replacement for Rishabh Pant in Tests. Sarfaraz Khan has scored 3352 runs in just 35 first class matches at an average of 79.80. He has scored 12 centuries and 9 half-centuries in just 51 innings.

Kishan Ishaan: Kishan of Jharkhand also remains a strong contender to replace Rishabh Pant in the Test team. Recently, the double century against Bangladesh has made headlines. Ishaan Kishan did wicketkeeping for India A on the tour of South Africa a year ago, but Kumar Kushagra does wicketkeeping in his place for Jharkhand. He has often been wicket-taking during the IPL as well. Despite not keeping wickets for his state in first-class cricket, he may get a chance considering his recent performance. Ishaan Kishan has scored 2985 runs in 48 first class matches at an average of 38.76.

Every time Rishabh flops in limited overs cricket, a name pops up

Sanju Samson: Every time Rishabh Pant is on the flop in limited overs cricket, one name has come to the fore and that is Sanju Samson. 28-year-old Sanju has made ODI and T20 debuts for Team India, but he has not got enough opportunities. Fans have also often expressed their displeasure on social media when Sanju did not get a chance. Sanju Samson of Kerala has a good record in domestic. Many veteran players have also recommended his name. In such a situation, Sanju also remains a contender to replace Rishabh. Sanju has scored 3446 runs in 58 first class matches at an average of 38.71.

Also Read: India will bat first in series opener against Sri Lanka, leaving out Surya and Kishan

KL Rahul: KL Rahul is handling wicketkeeping in India’s ODI team. However, he has been struggling with poor form for some time now. Despite this, the team management is keeping faith in him. In such a situation, it is expected that while maintaining this trust, he should also be given the responsibility of wicketkeeping in the Test team in the absence of Rishabh Pant. Anyway, Rahul remains a part of the Indian Test team. Rahul has scored 2604 runs in 45 Tests for India at an average of 34.26. Being consistent with the Indian cricket team can work in his favour.

Upendra Yadav fills KS Bharat’s void while playing for India A

Upendra Yadav: Playing for India A, Upendra Yadav has filled the void left by KS Bharat. The name of 26-year-old Upendra Yadav, who is three years younger than Bharat, is also coming to the fore. When KS Bharat got a call from the Indian Test team, Upendra Yadav took his place in India A in his absence. Only last month, Upendra scored an unbeaten 71 against Bangladesh A and took 5 catches. Upendra, playing for Railways, has scored 1411 runs in 33 first class matches at an average of 44.09.