Is Rishabh Pant playing today’s 3rd ODI of IND vs SL 2024 series?

Team India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been included in the playing XI for the crucial third ODI against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. The left-handed batter was on the bench for the first two ODIs of the series, which India failed to win.

Pant played two out of the three T20Is against Sri Lanka recently, but could not get into the ODI playing XI after losing the spot to KL Rahul. Team India skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that it was a tough call, but now with India 0-1 down in the series and Rahul not among the runs, Pant has been handed the glove duty.

Rishabh Pant is one of the two changes India have made to avoid a series defeat. Apart from the wicketkeeper, the Men in Blue have included an extra spin bowling all-rounder in ODI debutant Riyan Parag in place of seamer Arshdeep Singh.

"It's a pretty important game. We know what is at stake and what we need to do in this game to get things right. We have to give credit to the opposition for what they have done but at the same time, need to use this opportunity to get the win. Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag are in today. KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh miss out," Rohit Sharma said during the toss.

Rohit Sharma lost the toss for the third time in succession in the series, leading to India being asked to chase again on the surface, which has a tendency to slow down.

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Rishabh Pant last played an ODI in November 2022

The upcoming clash marks Rishabh Pant's first ODI in almost two years. After some consistent displays, he had become Team India's first-choice wicketkeeper, but his progress was cut short by the unfortunate car accident he sustained in December 2022.

His last ODI appearance came during the tour of New Zealand after the 2022 T20 World Cup. Playing in the third ODI of the series, he had scored 10 runs off 16 deliveries before being dismissed by Daryl Mitchell.

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