India vs England 2016: Parthiv Patel replaces Wriddhiman Saha for the 3rd Test at Mohali

Patel last played in a Test in 2008

Wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel has been named in the squad ahead of the 3^rd test between India and England, which is all set to begin at the PCA stadium at Mohali from 26^th November.

Parthiv has replaced Wriddhiman Saha who has been ruled out of the Test due to a thigh strain that he sustained during the 2^nd Test, which India won by 246 runs. He has been left out of the squad to avoid aggravating his injury.

This news has come in just a day after the selection committee announced the squad for the remaining three Tests against the Englishmen. Saha, who has been performing well lately, will be looking to recover quickly and get back into the team as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir was replaced by KL Rahul in the 2^nd Test and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has recovered from his injury, was included in the squad as well. 

Parthiv Patel, who last played in a Test for India in 2008, will be looking to make the most of his opportunity to shine in the India whites after eight years. The wicket-keeper batsman is currently playing the 7^th round of the Ranji Trophy for Gujarat against the defending champions Mumbai at Hubli and managed a low score of 12 in the first innings.

He has performed reasonably well in this edition of the Ranji Trophy; he scored a century in the previous match against Madhya Pradesh which ended as a draw. 

Rishabh Pant, the swashbuckling U-19 Indian wicket-keeper batsman who has been the top performer in the Ranji Trophy so far, was asked to be on standby, but the selectors decided to go with experience in the form of Parthiv. Pant is the highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy this season so far, scoring 874 runs in 6 innings at an average of 109 and a phenomenal strike rate of 114.

Parthiv has featured in 20 Tests scoring 683 runs at an average of 29.69 with four half-centuries to his name. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2002 but did not last long in the side due to his inconsistent performances.