DHAKA: The Indian men's cricket team today (December 4) announced that they have released wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant from their squad for the One Day International series (ODI) against Bangladesh.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement saying Pant was released following consultation with its medical staff and that the team would not look for a replacement in his absence, but it did not provide any additional information as to why the left-hander would not play in the ODIs against Bangladesh.
Before the two-match Test series in Bangladesh that begins on December 14 in Chattogram, the BCCI noted that Pant is anticipated to join the team. KL Rahul will keep wickets for India in the first ODI on Sunday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur, Dhaka, while Pant is unable to play.
In addition, the BCCI stated that left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel was unavailable for the first ODI without specifying the severity of his injury, despite the fact that captain Rohit Sharma had mentioned a few injuries in the team at the toss. In India's ODI team for the series against Bangladesh earlier on Saturday, rogue fast bowler Umran Malik was picked to replace injured senior pacer Mohammed Shami. According to a BCCI statement, Shami injured his shoulder during a practise session prior to the ODI series against Bangladesh.
He will not be able to participate in the series against Bangladesh as he is currently being monitored by the BCCI Medical Team at the NCA in Bengaluru. Shami's readiness for the two Test matches against Bangladesh, which begin on December 14 in Chattogram, is yet unknown.
Both uncapped bowler Yash Dayal and left-arm spin all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had previously been disqualified from the ODI series against Bangladesh. Dayal has a lower back problem, and Jadeja is still recovering from knee surgery from back in September, making it uncertain whether he will play in the Tests.
India will meet Bangladesh in two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle following the three ODIs. From December 14 to December 18, the first Test will take place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) in Chattogram, and from December 22 to December 26, the second Test will take place at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur, Dhaka.
Team India's tour of Bangladesh starts today, first ODI will start from 11:30 am
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