T20 WC 2024: Rishabh Pant backed to take Virat Kohli's No.3 spot as Simon Doull reveals wicketkeeper's weakness

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull suggested the new batting position for Rishabh Pant in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He believes that the keeper-batter doesn't fit in the middle order for the team and should take up the No.3 position in the XI. 

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant looks like a clear favorite to grab a place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. With the kind of performance that he has shown in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, it's fair to say that he would be the first-choice keeper for the team in the mega event. 

Rishabh Pant, who made a comeback through IPL 2024 after a horrific accident, has looked in ominous touch in the tournament. He has been single-handedly carrying the batting lineup of the Delhi Capitals in the tournament and is making sure that he gives his fans immense entertainment like he used to do earlier. 

Rishabh Pant's best came in the game against Gujarat Titans. He wreaked havoc across the opposition's bowling lineup and made sure that he took his team to a total of over 220. The batter scored 88 runs off just 43 balls and helped his team win. 

Rishabh Pant is the third leading run-getter in the IPL 2024 with 342 runs to his name. There have been various reports that have claimed that the Delhi Capitals skipper is the first-choice keeper-batter in the Indian Team for the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be played in June. 

Simon Doull believes that Rishabh Pant is getting close to his best with the bat. He, however, feels that the keeper-batter should bat at No.3 as he is a better player than a slogger or hitter. Speaking  about the same, he stated: 

"He's getting closer. Can he bat at 3? Because I go back to the team I'm looking at (for the T20 World Cup), and he doesn't fit in the middle-order. If he can, he's getting a step closer to the boarding pass. He's a better player than a slogger or hitter. He comes, and he eases his way into his innings." 

Could he bat at 3 behind the skipper and Virat (Kohli)? - Simon Doull on Rishabh Pant 

Simon Doull further hailed Rishabh Pant as a terrific player and said that the keeper-batter isn't the player who can slog right from the ball. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that Pant should bat after the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He elaborated: 

"That's why I say he's a terrific Test player. He's a fine batter. But I don't think he's a player who comes out and starts slogging, not in modern-day T20 cricket. That's why his numbers aren't nowhere near as good as they possibly should. So, my question is, could he bat at 3 behind the skipper and Virat (Kohli)?" 

While Pant will be the first-choice keeper in the team, the competition for the second keeper in the team stays between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson in the team. It is learned that the Lucknow Super Giants skipper might get the nod ahead of the Rajasthan Royals skipper.