The BCCI today announced that Parthiv Patel will replace Wriddhiman Saha as India's wicketkeeper for the third Test against England at Mohali, starting November 26.
Saha, India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the longest format of the game, developed a strain in his left thigh during the second Test at Visakhapatnam. As a precautionary measure, Saha has been advised rest by the Indian team's medial team.
Patel's last Test appearance for India was against Sri Lanka in 2008. In fact, the left-hander hasn't played international cricket since his T20I outing against England in 2011.
Parthiv, 31, had made his Test debut against England as a 17-year-old during the 2002 tour and last played against Sri Lanka at Colombo in August, 2008.
For Delhi's young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, it is not logistically possible to reach Mohali from Wayanad, where he is currently playing a Ranji Trophy match, before 25th late evening after completing the match on 24th.
Pant, who is currently topping the run charts in the Ranji Trophy with 874 runs, would have to travel to either Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram by road from Wayanad, and then take a flight to Delhi followed by another connecting flight to Chandigarh in order to reach Mohali.
The Mohali Test is set to be played from November 26. India lead the five-match series 1-0.
