Mohali Test: Here's why Parthiv Patel was chosen over Rishabh Pant

Fielding coach R Sridhar (back to camera) and Parthiv Patel during a practice session in Mohali yesterday. Pic/PTI

Mohali: u00c2u0088Rishabh Pant may be the flavour this domestic cricket season but chief coach Anil Kumble feels that Parthiv Patel's "experience" as well as better "keeping skills" have enabled him to make a comeback into Indian Test side after eight long years.

"Parthiv has been really consistent both with his keeping as well as his batting. That's why Parthiv was chosen. Rishabh has certainly shown the exuberance a young cricketer can bring in. He has shown a lot of batting skills. He has obviously got a lot of runs in domestic cricket. But Parthiv was chosen for his keeping skills and his experience," Kumble said on Patel's selection. The coach also made it clear that Wriddhiman Saha, who is a few notches above his peers in terms of glovework, still remains the first-choice keeper of the Test team which may well mean that Mohali will be only chance for Parthiv to prove himself.

Rishabh Pant

"I think it's unfortunate that Saha is missing out in this Test match. He suffered a strain on the final day of the Test match. He was obviously in the starting line-up but scans showed there was a little bit of tendonitis," Kumble added.

Having travelled to Mohali from Karnataka, where Gujarat were playing Mumbai, Parthiv expectedly spent more time at the optional net session. He did separate routines to hone his glovework under the watchful eyes of fielding coach R Sridhar. At first, it was flat catches as Sridhar hit the tennis balls. A few popped out of his gloves as the routine went for around 15 minutes. Post that, Parthiv did two different drills specific to keeping against spinners.