'Gabba hero is back...' Twitter goes gaga as Rishabh Pant returns to India's test squad for Bangladesh series

Rishabh Pant last played test match against Bangladesh in Mirpur in December 2022.

On Sunday, September 8, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 16-member squad for the opening fixture of the two-match test series against Bangladesh, starting from September 19.

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who survived a life-threatening car accident in December 2022, made his much-awaited return to the test side for the first test against Bangladesh. The Southpaw’s last test was also against Bangladesh, just before his accident.

Post his recovery, Pant went through lengthy and arduous rehabilitation for almost a year. The wicketkeeper-batter then made a strong comeback in the Indian Premier League 2024 (446 runs in 13 outings) before getting picked for the title-winning ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in June.

Currently, Rishabh Pant is featuring in the Duleep Trophy 2024, where he is representing India B side. The left-handed batter also played a quick-fire knock of 61 runs in the second innings against India A in Bengaluru.

Seeing him picked in the Indian side for the first of the two-match test series against Bangladesh, cricket fans went wild for their “Gabba Hero” Rishabh Pant, who is all set to play his first test match after nearly 21 months.

Here are some of the reactions after Pant’s comeback:

Pant is back in his favourite format, Test Cricket.👏👏– After 21 months, Rishabh Pant will be playing in the Test series for India. I can't wait to see him play in the Test Cricket.#RishabhPant #DuleepTrophy2024 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/5UqA92V2it

— Rajesh Singh (@THEVAJRA85) September 8, 2024

Hope to get old rishabh pant of test cricket 🔥

— A Kumar (@Am_official007) September 8, 2024

We are back 🇮🇳 ♥️#RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/GVDeDTzgpR

— Mateen Khan (@Mateenkhan1745) September 8, 2024

Rishabh pant amazing player of India

— Arslaan✨ (@Xasan0088) September 8, 2024

After nearly 634 days, Spider Pant will return to action in red-ball cricket. He last played a Test match against Bangladesh in Dec 2022 and has now been included in the squad for the first Test of the upcoming series against Bangladesh which starts on 19th Sept.#RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/FMfgBexyvC

— COVER DRIVE (@RINKUSINGH42465) September 8, 2024

Congratulations Rishabh Pant

— Akshay sharma(EWS FAMILY) (@Akshayshar30) September 8, 2024

WELCOME BACK TO RED BALL CRICKET AFTER 21 LONG MONTHS, RISHABH PANT…!!!– A swashbuckling 34 ball fifty by Pant pic.twitter.com/dJ3xS4OI3y

— Mohd Ashiq (@mohdashiq3841) September 8, 2024

Rishabh Pant is back in the Indian Test team after 21 months. 💪Welcome to Test cricket, Rishabh. 🇮🇳❤️#RishabhPant #INDvBAN @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/05RIKT1Hz2

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) September 8, 2024

India squad for first test against Bangladesh

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

Bangladesh tour of India in 2024: Full Schedule

Two-match Test series:

September 19: IND vs BAN – First Test – Chennai

September 27: IND vs BAN – Second Test – Kanpur

Three-match T20I series:

October 06: IND vs BAN – First T20I – Gwalior

October 09: IND vs BAN – Second T20I – Delhi

October 12: IND vs BAN – Third T20I – Hyderabad

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