India's Rishabh Pant plays a shot against Ireland during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Westbury, New York. (AP | PTI)Former India batter Suresh Raina has asked Rishabh Pant to bat with more “responsibility” in the three-match ODI series against England, followed by the Champions Trophy.
It is uncertain if Pant will remain the first-choice wicket-keeper for the ODIs and the Champions Trophy with KL Rahul in contention. Pant’s 50-over record is middling at best after 31 matches – 871 runs at 33.5. Despite his long lay-off from regular 50-over cricket, Pant was named the second keeper in the Champions Trophy squad unveiled on Saturday, pipping the likes of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
“He has improved a lot on his wicket-keeping, Rishabh Pant needs to play with more responsibility because this is a 50 over tournament,” Raina told Star Sports.
“In the upcoming tournament with England you’ve got 3 One Days, this will be a good opportunity for Rishabh Pant.”
India’s Rishabh Pant plays a shot just before he is caught by Bangladesh’s Tanzim Hasan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match between India and Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
It is impossible to evaluate Pant by ordinary metrics. On his day, he can be the one waging a lone battle in ODIs too, as he did with his solitary century – an unbeaten 125 chasing 260 against England in 2022 when the rest of the top-order was nipped in Manchester.
Suresh Raina said in the middle-order if Rishabh Pant ended up playing 40-50 deliveries, he is someone who can finish off the game for India.
“It depends on how you play, I think if Yashasvi does not play in the top order then Rishabh Pant will have a very important role, he can bat at the fourth position he can also come in to bat before Hardik because if Rishabh goes on to play 40-50 deliveries then he can finish off the game.
“He has to tell himself that if I play fifty deliveries then I can score 80-100 runs but it is important for him to spend some time.
“If he makes a mistake then that’s going to cost a lot because he has that talent, he has got that ability, he is going to be the X factor for the Indian team.”
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