Pragyan Ojha picks Wriddhiman Saha as India's top-choice wicket-keeper ahead of Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant's mistakes behind the stumps on the ongoing third Test has once again raised questions on his selection in the Playing XI. It is a conception that Pant is the first-option wicket-keeper for India in overseas conditions. This because of his ability to play an impactful inning with the bat down the order.

However, many cricket pundits feel that Saha should always be ahead of Pant overseas and home as in Test cricket. It is crucial to have a specialized wicket-keeper who can fully endow catching, run-out, and stumping chances. Pragyan Ojha's belief is not different than others. He precisely explained why Saha should be Team India's first-choice wicket-keeper and not Rishabh Pant.

It is disappointing to see Pant not learning from his blunders: Deep Dasgupta

In the first innings of the third Test, Pant gave away two opportunities to Australia's debutant opener Will Pucovski. In the 22nd over the first-day play, Pant failed to hold on to Ravi Ashwin's bowling strong chance. The debutant got an outside edge to a full-length delivery by Ashwin, but the wicket-keeper dropped an easy catch.

This was once again by Pant dropping Pucovski again three overs later. This time it was the fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Pucovski had played a terrible shot, and India was confident of sending the opener back to the pavilion. But Rishabh Pant again could not get hold of the ball. Riding his luck, Pucovski went on to play a brilliant knock of 62 runs in 110 deliveries.

Conflicting to Pragyan Ojha, although his poor performance the former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta stated that it is disheartening to see Pant repeating the same mistakes repeatedly. He further said that he would back the youngster while donning the gloves as he has a bright future.

Earlier, the Indian team management had decided that Saha would be handy with his wicketkeeping skills in India. Rishabh Pant's batting ability will be important in overseas conditions. Dasgupta also wanted the Indian team management to stick to that decision. However, he also agreed that the young Delhi wicket-keeper needs to work on his skills before it is too late.

Team India's Pant-Saha dilemma continued in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Saha was lest after a disappointing performance at the Adelaide Oval. Even though Rishabh played an impactful inning in the Boxing Day Test, he needs to realize that his significant role is that of a wicket-keeper.

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