Duleep Trophy 2024: Rishabh Pant’s Red-Ball Comeback Derailed by Fellow India Star Shubman Gill

The Duleep Trophy has started with a bang, with bowlers and fielders showcasing their resilience and skill in red-ball action. Some of the Indian Cricket Team's senior players are in action with the domestic upstarts and the fireworks are already on display. The domestic red-ball tournament also marked the return of Rishabh Pant in Test Cricket after a two-year hiatus. The team India wicketkeeper-batter was in action against the Shubman Gill-led India A at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But Pant's red-ball return was thwarted by his Team India compatriot.

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Rishabh Pant’s Red-Ball Return at Duleep Trophy Thwarted by India Compatriot Shubman Gill | WATCH

Rishabh Pant walked in at number five for India B after the top-order batters lost their wickets rather early. The Stumper began with a superb cover drive shot which reached the boundary. In the 37th over, Pant attempted to hit a risky shot that glided through the air after hitting a lofted shot towards the mid-off, where skipper Shubman Gill was in position. The India A skipper ran backwards for the catch and made a solid dive to make the catch.

However, Shubman Gill landed hard on his right shoulder as he looked to be in pain as he lay on the ground. But he shrugged off the injury scare and stood up as the match continued. Pacers Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Akash Deep have proved to be vital for the side as they scalped most of the wickets.

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Rishabh Pant attempted to keep his case for the India-Bangladesh bilaterals as the BCCI selectors are keeping a close tab. The players for the IND vs BAN Test series will be selected on the basis of the players' performance in the Duleep Trophy, and the players need to be at their best to keep their case strong. Pant returned to red-ball cricket for the first time since his car accident in December 2022.

Regarding the match, the Sbhubman Gill-led India A's decision to bowl first is doing wonders for the side as the pace domination is on display at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India A have scalped seven wickets so far, and they have stamped their authority in the first innings.