Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant refused to reveal who would take Shubman Gill’s place for the second Test match against South Africa, starting in Guwahati on Saturday, adding that the incoming player was aware of featuring in the playing XI.
Pant will lead India in the match after Gill was ruled out on Friday in a match which the hosts have to win to
square the two-match series and avoid a second straight series loss to a SENA country at home.
“We have taken into consideration [the problem of] having a lot of left-handers in the batting lineup. We will announce it tomorrow. We have taken it [the decision] because the person who’s going to play, he already knows he’s going to play,” he told reporters on Friday.
The 27-year-old said that he doesn’t wish to overthink about leading for the first time in Test cricket in Gill’s absence in Guwahati. He said that while he was honoured to lead the country in the match, the one-off game scenario was not ideal for him.
“I don’t want to overthink. We had a tough first Test, and we need to do whatever is required to win. One-off match is not the best scenario for a captain, but I am thankful to the BCCI for giving me this honour. Sometimes, if you think too much about a big occasion, it doesn’t help,” the southpaw said.
“I want to keep it a mixture of both. Being conventional helps, but thinking outside the box also works. It’s all about balance. And yes, I definitely back my instincts,” he added.
One of the major talking points from the first Test at Kolkata was the pitch used for the match, which saw only one batter get to a 50+ score. Pant felt that the Guwahati wicket might be a better surface to bat on, even if it turned as the match progressed.
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“I think this wicket will play better. Definitely, it’s a better wicket to bat on. Obviously, it will eventually turn after a few days,” the southpaw said.