AB de Villiers Expresses Surprise Over Rishabh Pant's Test Selection

Rishabh Pant, the prominent wicketkeeper-batter for India, has been named in the squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, marking a significant return for the 28-year-old cricketer. Pant, who hails from Delhi, last donned the Indian jersey during a one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh in June 2026, where he showcased his batting prowess by scoring 81 runs in the first innings. His performance in that match, however, did not secure him a spot in the subsequent One Day International (ODI) squads for the home series against Afghanistan or the away series against England. Nevertheless, his inclusion in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in August has reignited discussions about his form and fitness as he prepares to take the field once again.

The announcement of Pant's selection came on July 28, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the 15-member squad for the tour. While many in India welcomed the decision, former South African captain AB de Villiers expressed his surprise regarding Pant's inclusion. De Villiers noted that Pant appeared to be struggling with confidence and energy during the IPL 2026 season, which raised questions about his readiness for international play. Despite his concerns, de Villiers remains a strong supporter of Pant, expressing hope that the opportunity to represent India will motivate him to perform at his best. "Rishabh Pant is included, which, in my opinion, is a bit of a surprise. We’ll have to see what his fitness is like and what his appetite is to perform because he looked slightly low on confidence and energy during the IPL. But now he’s representing India again, and I believe that will bring out the best in No. 17. I’m a big fan—I just want to see him play with intensity," de Villiers stated on his YouTube channel.

In addition to Pant's selection, de Villiers also highlighted the inclusion of Saransh Jain, a 33-year-old all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, who has received his first call-up to the Indian Test team for the series against Sri Lanka. De Villiers praised Jain for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, noting that it is rewarding to see him finally get his chance at the international level. "The big surprise, however, is Saransh Jain. He’s 33 years old and has been playing first-class cricket for quite some time. It’s great to see him finally get his opportunity. He’s a right-arm off-spinner and a left-handed batter, similar to Washington Sundar. He’s played for quite a while and his bowling numbers are excellent. He averages just over 27, with a strike rate of around 54. He’ll give Shubman Gill another useful option once the ball gets older in the middle overs. His batting record is also respectable, with several fifties and a couple of hundreds. I’d describe him as more of a bowling all-rounder than a batting all-rounder," he added. The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka is set to take place in Galle from August 15 to 19, followed by the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club from August 23 to 27. India last faced Sri Lanka in a Test series back in 2017, where they achieved a clean sweep under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.