Who Is Priyank Panchal?

India has been under huge pressure ahead of their big series against South Africa as red-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury.

Sharma, who was selected vice-captain in the Test format for the first time will skip the whole series. Hitman Rohit Sharma has been superseded by Priyank Panchal, who has been named into the Indian Test squad for the first time. The 31-year is uncapped in all three formats for India and could be in the queue for a debut against South Africa. 

India A captain Priyank Panchal’s recent win eventually carved the way for his arrival into the senior India Team team. The youngster has been called up as a substitute for injured Rohit Sharma after playing his 100th first-class game. The decision arrives as a big quantum leap for the youngster for his tough work since 2008.

Priyank is the third expert opener for India after KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in South Africa. Priyank was even a part of India’s squad for the home series against England this year. Priyank’s getaway season came in 2016-17 sessions of domestic cricket. He knocked over 1300 runs for Gujarat which includes a 314 against Punjab. He was the highest run-scorer in that season. Apart from being a brilliant opening batsman, Priyank is also fine with the ball. With Rohit’s pull of the team, Panchal will be the third opener of the unit along with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.