The national selectors have announced squads for the limited overs series against Australia. Rishabh Pant, who is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, has been recalled to side after being axed from the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.
Pant was given a go in the ODI series against West Indies but he failed to deliver. However, he has been impressive in the Test format.
“We have included him [Pant] considering the fact that he is a left-hander and we are going to discuss with the team management. We will try and figure the best possible batting position for Pant. With a left-hander in the side, there is an advantage of left-right combination,” India’s chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said.
“We want to give Pant a few ODIs before taking a final call on World Cup.”
Leg-spinner Mayank Markande was included in the squad in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
“We are looking at Markande as a backup spinner. We have been grooming him though India A process and today also he picked up a five-wicket haul. So, we want to look at him and he’ll be a backup spinner,” Prasad said.