India are set to face Bangladesh in the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday, September 19, marking the much-anticipated return of Rishabh Pant.

After a two-year break from international cricket following a severe car accident in December 2022, Pant is back and ready to don the wicketkeeper's gloves. His return to the squad comes after an impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he not only excelled with the bat but also proved his skills behind the stumps.

India head coach, Gautam Gambhir, confirmed that Pant would start in the first Test, praising both his destructive batting and his often overshadowed wicketkeeping abilities. Gambhir expressed his confidence in Pant’s ability to turn the game in India's favor, emphasizing the impact he can have on the field.

"Pant can open the game for us. As a keeper also, he has done phenomenally well. We all know how destructive Pant can be. It is good to have someone like him, and he has done phenomenally with keeping. Batting overshadows keeping, but he brings a lot of good things to the side," Gambhir said.

Pant's inclusion has led to fierce competition for the wicket-keeper slot. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel were left out for this Test, but Gambhir clarified that these decisions were based on team dynamics, not performance.