Rishabh Pant could miss out on his place in India's 30-man squad for their upcoming tour of Australia due to his weight issues. Reports have it that the selection committee is prioritizing fitness for this tour and they will consult the team's fitness trainer, Nick Webb, before naming the squad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia are yet to announce the dates of the fixtures, but has been confirmed that the Indian team will tour Australia right after the end of the ongoing Indian T20 League. India will play three ODIs, three T20Is, and a four-match Test series in Australia. Sydney and Canberra will host the white-ball leg after the New South Wales government allowed the travelling players to continue with their training even during the quarantine.
As for Pant, it said that Webb had a talk with him about the issue, and in case he misses out, the likes of KL Rahul or Sanju Samson might be given the wicketkeeping duties.
"The Indian team fitness trainer had shared his perspective on Pant some days ago and we believe he's overweight. Regardless of what's obvious on the field, the BCCI and the selectors will have to take the fitness report on Pant into consideration before they can pick him. The selectors need to speak to trainer Nick Webb before taking the call," a source told TOI.
Meanwhile, India's Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari left for Dubai on Sunday to join rest of the squad members for the tour, while head coach Ravi Shastri will also join the players on Monday.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe
