Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has put his weight behind Rishabh Pant to be part of the team’s final XI in the all-important semifinal against England. Pant was given his chance ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the last Super 12 match against Zimbabwe but he could only manage three runs and thus could not grab his chance.
However, Pant can provide variety in the team’s batting order against England. The left-hander can also take the attack against Adil Rashid in the middle overs.
Pant has a great record in Australian conditions but he hasn’t delivered the goods in the shortest format of the game. On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik, who played in the first four matches of the tournament, wasn’t able to deliver the goods for the team.
Meanwhile, Pant had also scored 125 runs in the third ODI against England and had led the team to victory in the deciding game of the series.
Ravi Shastri said as quoted by IANS, “Dinesh is a lovely team player. But when it comes to a game against England or New Zealand, just seeing their attack, I think you need a robust left-hander, who can turn it on and is a match-winner and a left-hander.”
“He has done well against England. He recently won a match on his own against England, a one-day game (125 not out in Manchester). I would go with Pant, not just because he played here, but because of the x-factor angle, he can bring to the semifinal,” said Shastri after the match ended.
Shastri believes Pant can make the most of the short boundaries on either side of the ground at Adelaide Oval.
“You are playing in Adelaide, short boundaries square, another reason why a left-hander should be there to disrupt the England attack. If you have too many right-handers, there is a sense of sameness to it.”
“England have a nice attack, a varied attack of left-handers and right-handers. You need a left-hander in your team, who can be dangerous and win you a game in the back overs even if you have lost 3 or 4 wickets at the top,” he added.
India will take on England on Thursday at Adelaide Oval in the second semifinal.
