Suresh Raina predicts Rishabh Pant's selection for T20 World Cup 2024
Published - 23 Jan 2024, 08:10 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:25 AM
Rishabh Pant has now been out of international cricket for more than one year. It was on December 30, 2022, that the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman survived a horrific car accident that significantly derailed his career.
He missed the IPL 2023 followed by the World Cup and every other international series that the Indian team has been playing off late. Pant’s rehab is almost over and he has started practicing as well. Last week in Bengaluru he was seen taking throwdowns and interacting with Indian players when India played the third T20I against Afghanistan.
In Pant’s absence, India have tried several wicketkeepers. KL Rahul Ishan Kishan Kishan and Sanju Samson were tried in ODI and T20I cricket. Rahul was the nominated keeper for the ODI World Cup. For the England Test series, however, KS Bharat seems the likely wicketkeeper behind the stumps. Dhurv Jurel, the UP keeper-batter has been added to the squad as well.
Meanwhile, India Head Coach Rahul Dravid has confirmed that KL Rahul will not play as a specialist keeper in the Test series against England.
“Rahul will not be playing as a wicket-keeper in this series and we are clear about that in the selection itself. We have picked two other wicket-keepers and obviously Rahul did a fantastic job for us in South Africa and really played a big part in helping us draw the series” Dravid said in a press conference.
“But considering five Test matches (against England) and playing in these conditions the selection will be between the two other keepers we have,” he further explained.
If Fit Rishabh Pant Should Be In The World Cup Team: Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina while speaking to Times of India spoke about Pant’s possible comeback for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pant was a part of the T20 World Cup 2022 squad for India. That was his last appearance for India in an ICC event.
“Absolutely. He should be considered. He is a game-changer. He has done that in the past. He has been a great player in white-ball cricket. “But his fitness would come into the picture. It depends on how fit KL Rahul will be by the time the World Cup arrives and his form will also matter. If Rishabh is fit, he should be in the World Cup team,” said Raina.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have already confirmed that Rishabh Pant will lead the side in IPL 2024. He was also seen at the IPL 2024 auction alongside the franchise owners. Pant tore his ligaments in a car crash in December 2022. Since then he was kept out of all cricketing events.
Since then, Pant has undergone successful reconstructive surgeries on the ligaments and has been doing his rehab at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. In recent months, he has posted videos suggesting that his recovery has been going to plan.
Rishabh Pant’s last appearance for India was against Bangladesh in a Test match in Dhaka in December 2022. The keeper-batter has played 33 Tests, 30 ODIs, and 66 T20Is for the national team.
Also Read: ‘Hyderabad pitch will spin…’ – India coach Rahul Dravid fires warning to England
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Anshuman Roy is an author at Cricketaddictor. He has been working with the organization since Januar... Read more
