Rishabh Pant is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket. The 28-year-old left-hander from Delhi last played for India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh in June
2026, where he scored 81 runs in the first innings.
Despite his impressive performance with the bat, Pant was not included in India’s ODI squads for the home series against Afghanistan in June or the away series against England in July. However, he is back in the squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in August.
Pant was named in India’s 15-member squad for the tour on Tuesday (July 28) and is expected to be the first-choice wicketkeeper. While his selection did not raise many eyebrows in India, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers admitted he was surprised by Pant’s inclusion.
According to De Villiers, Pant looked slightly low on confidence and energy during IPL 2026. However, he added that he is a big admirer of the wicketkeeper-batter and hopes to see him return to his best.
“Rishabh Pant is included, which, in my opinion, is a bit of a surprise. We’ll have to see what his fitness is like and what his appetite is to perform because he looked slightly low on confidence and energy during the IPL. But now he’s representing India again, and I believe that will bring out the best in No. 17. I’m a big fan—I just want to see him play with intensity,” De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers also spoke about Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain, who has earned his maiden India Test call-up for the Sri Lanka series. He said it was great to see the 33-year-old finally receive his opportunity after consistently performing in domestic cricket.
“The big surprise, however, is Saransh Jain. He’s 33 years old and has been playing first-class cricket for quite some time. It’s great to see him finally get his opportunity. He’s a right-arm off-spinner and a left-handed batter, similar to Washington Sundar.
“He’s played for quite a while and his bowling numbers are excellent. He averages just over 27, with a strike rate of around 54. He’ll give Shubman Gill another useful option once the ball gets older in the middle overs. His batting record is also respectable, with several fifties and a couple of hundreds. I’d describe him as more of a bowling all-rounder than a batting all-rounder,” he added.
India vs Sri Lanka Test series schedule
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test is scheduled at the Sinhalese Sports Club from August 23 to 27.
India last toured Sri Lanka for a Test series in 2017 and won all three matches under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
