India are set to begin their 10-Test season with the first match of the India vs Bangladesh two-match Test series, slated to get underway from September 19 (Thursday). The first IND vs BAN Test will be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The IND vs BAN Test will mark India's return to the longest format of the game after nearly six months, but an even more significant comeback is on the horizon, as Rishabh Pant is set to play his first Test in 632 days.
Star India wicketkeeper batter, Rishabh Pant, is poised to make his Test return for India after a 632-day hiatus, having been sidelined for an extended period due to his car accident back in 2022. He marked his T20I comeback during the T20 World Cup 2024, which India won, and returned to the ODI scene during India's tour of Sri Lanka recently. Now, he's set to make his Test comeback in the home series against Bangladesh.
The IND vs BAN Test will also mark a unique coincidence for Pant as he will be facing the same opposition that he faced the last time he donned the India whites, for a Test match.
While Pant is set to make his Test return with the IND vs BAN Test at the Chepauk, he made his red-ball return during the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2024. He played for India B and scored an impressive 47-ball 61 runs knock against India A.
India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir will kick off his Test tenure with the Chennai match. Ahead of the game, he emphasised that while India doesn’t fear any opponent, they hold them in respect. He added that the team's focus will be on their own game rather than on the opposition.
"I have always believed that we don't fear anyone, but we respect everyone. It's the same with Bangladesh. We don't focus on the opposition; we play the game we know,” Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference.
