Rishab Pant Released from Ongoing Test Against Bangladesh, Replacement Announced!

India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishab Pant has been released from the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh to play in the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was serving as a back up to Wriddhiman Saha.

“Rishabh will be playing all the six matches (3 T20Is and 3 ODIs) against the West Indies. The selectors thought it’s only prudent that he goes and plays in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Delhi,” a senior BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Andhra wicketkeeper KS Bharat who has been a regular face for India 'A' will replace Rishab Pant as cover for Saha for the remainder of the second Test at Eden Gardens.

I played the first pink-ball match in Lucknow when it was introduced in the Duleep Trophy in 2015. I got a call and was asked to join the team. I’m reaching at 8.30 tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to sharing the dressing room with my idol Virat bhai. Wriddhiman is one of the best wicketkeepers of the current era. I am hoping to learn a lot from them," Bharat was quoted as saying by Cricket Times.

Bharat has 3, 909 domestic runs that includes 8 centuries and 20 half-centuries at an average of 37.58 from 96 matches to his name.