Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar has stated that Rishabh Pant can change the complexion of the game with his blistering batting.
Pant has the skills to turn the match on its head and he likes to hit the ground running. The pugnacious southpaw batsman is known to catapult his attack on the opposition and he can make a deep impact on the game if he gets settled.
Pant has been in sublime form in the last six months and he has batted at the top of his game. The left-hander had scored 274 runs in three Test matches against Australia and had played a key role in India’s win Down Under. Subsequently, he scored 270 runs in the four Test matches against England and continued his prolific form in the Test matches.
Pant had scored a match-winning knock of 89 runs in the historic Gabba Test match. Furthermore, he had also scored a fine counter-attacking knock of 101 runs off just 118 balls against England.
Pant is well known for his blistering batting and he is going to play a key role for the Indian team in the WTC final if he can get going. Vengsarkar feels the role of a wicket-keeper is going to be crucial for the Indian team in the WTC final.
“It depends on the situation. You cannot have a fixed idea about certain things. The wicketkeeper is a very important position in the team. Besides affecting stumpings and run-outs, if he is batting well, why not? If you have someone like Rishabh Pant, who can change the complexion of the match with his batting also, that is a huge advantage for the Indian team. You cannot have a fixed mind and say wicket-keeping comes first. If you are improving as a wicket-keeper, why not? Same thing happened with Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He kept improving,” said Vengsarkar while talking to CricketNext.
Pant has scored 1358 runs in 20 Test matches at an impressive average 45.27 and a blistering strike rate of 71.47. The left-hander has also scored three centuries.
The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.
