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Xtra Time Web Desk: India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has been under scrutiny following his disappointing batting performance on Day 1 of the 2024 Duleep Trophy at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, gave the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee a timely reminder of his immense value with a stunning display of his batting prowess on Day 3. Pant, who was dismissed for just 7 runs off 10 balls against India A, made amends with a quick but balanced 61 runs of 47 deliveries with 9 fours, 2 sixes and a strike rate of around 129. This might just reignite conversations about his potential return to the India Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

He had earlier even managed to take a spectacular catch when Navdeep Saini bowled a length delivery that Mayank Agarwal attempted to glance down the leg side. However, Agarwal only managed a faint edge, and Pant, diving sharply to his left, pulled off a brilliant two-handed catch to complete the dismissal. 

50 for Rishabh Pant! ????

He brings it up off just 34 balls ????#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/eQyu38DTlt pic.twitter.com/OPSfsvFhqI

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 7, 2024

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Pant’s last Test appearance was in the series against Bangladesh in December 2022 just days before his unfortunate accident. Now, as he pushes for a comeback, his participation in the ongoing Duleep Trophy is crucial to prove his fitness and form ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin on September 19 at home. This well-made fifty could well secure his place in the squad and mark his return to white-ball competitive cricket.

Rishabh Pant’s value in Test cricket is well-established. His counter-attacking style has brought India memorable victories, including his match-winning knocks in Australia and England. Most notably, his iconic 89* at the Gabba in 2021 led India to a historic series win against Australia. In his 33 Test matches, Pant has amassed 2,271 runs at an average of 43.67, including five centuries and 11 half-centuries. 

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With competition brewing from young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who impressed with a Player of the Match performance in the home series against England earlier this year, Pant’s display in the Duleep Trophy serves as a reminder of his ability to perform on the big stage. Selectors will now have to weigh the experience and match-winning ability of Pant against the fresh talent of Jurel as the Bangladesh series approaches.