It's an exciting chance for Panchal to make the country proud: Gautam Gambhir

In anticipation of India’s crucial tour to South Africa, former opener Gautam Gambhir said Rohit Sharma’s absence is a “massive blow” for the team. During the team’s net session on Monday, Rohit, the newly appointed Test vice-captain, developed a recurrence of a left hamstring injury that kept him out of most of the three-match series. 

Talking about Panchal, in the past, he was also a stand-by player for India’s four-Test series against England. During his time with India A, he worked closely with current head coach Rahul Dravid, as well as with the Gujarat team that won the Ranji Trophy under Parthiv Patel.

The veteran cricketer, who played more than 50 Tests for India, believes that Rohit’s absence will present a great chance for Panchal. Panchal, 31, has played 100 First-class matches and scored over 7000 runs, including 24 centuries and 25 fifties.
”As he batted well in England, he would have loved to go to South Africa, where he is in good form. He just took over as vice-captain, so losing him is a severe blow. This is a tremendous opportunity for a youngster to make the country proud,” Gambhir told ANI.

”It’s unclear if KL Rahul will serve as stand-in vice-captain, but Ravichandran Ashwin and Rishabh Pant are considered for the team management role. As for Rohit, the Indian A captain will replace him with Priyank Panchal,” stated BCCI during a press conference. Rohit Sharma injured his left hamstring during yesterday’s training session in Mumbai. As a result, he will not be available for the upcoming series against South Africa. BCCI later announced Priyank Panchal would replace Rohit Sharma in the squad.