Rishabh Pant to step in as KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav have been ruled out of SA series!

A huge blow has struck the Indian team as the captain of the tour, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the series. With all the senior players taking a break, Rahul was seen as the player who could create a difference. Along with Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav has also been reported out of the series. The Chinaman picked up an injury while batting in the nets.

With Rahul out of the series, Rishabh Pant will lead the country for the first time. The youngster who was brutally even 18 months back has completely changed his gaming style and thus will have the important responsibility of leading the side. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya who helped Gujarat lift the Indian T20 League trophy in their inaugural season is appointed as the vice-captain of the side.

Pant as usual was delighted to get the opportunity. Speaking to the press, the newly appointed captain who plays domestic cricket for Delhi said, “It's a great feeling, especially getting an opportunity like this in your hometown. There is nothing bigger than this. It didn't come under very good circumstances but I will try to make the most of it and give my 100%”.

He added, “I think it [having captained in the Indian T20 League] will help me a lot because when you keep doing the same thing over a period of time, you tend to improve. I am someone who keeps on learning from my mistakes and that's something which is going to help me in the coming days as well”.

The team however will miss the service of KL Rahul. He was the pillar in the top order who have the ability to drag the innings and help the team to put up a formidable total. When it comes to Kuldeep Yadav, luck seems to hamper Kuldeep’s progress. Just a day ago, Indian Coach Rahul Dravid was full of praises for Kuldeep but the chinaman unfortunately will miss the action once again.

One of Axar Patel or Ravi Bishnoi will be partnering with Yuzvendra Chahal in the spin department while Ruturaj Gaikwad will be opening the innings with Ishan Kishan.

Squad: Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-capt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik