Australia vs India 2018-19: MSK Prasad Reveals Reason for Ouster of Rishabh Pant from ODI Squad

The Indian National Cricket Team chief selector MSK Prasad has explained the reason behind the ouster of Rishabh Pant from the ODI squad. Pant could not find his place in the 50-overs format squad. Meanwhile, Pant did a fine job in the recently concluded Test series against Australia. The southpaw batsman scored 350 runs in the four-match series and he was the second leading run-getter.

In fact, Pant played a blistering knock of unbeaten 159 runs in the first innings of the final and fourth Test match at Sydney. Subsequently, former players like Sourav Ganguly believe Pant could be a match winner in the upcoming World Cup.

On the other hand, MSK Prasad said Pant is in World Cup plans of the team. However, he has been rested as the selectors are following the workload management procedure.

“There is absolutely no doubt that he is among one of those wicketkeepers [for World Cup]. All the three shortlisted keepers are doing well. He is definitely part of pour World Cup plans. It’s a part of the workload management we are following,” Prasad told India Today in an exclusive interview.

Pant was also part of the T20I squad when MS Dhoni was dropped from the shortest version. Meanwhile, it is imperative to maintain the workload of Pant as keeping is a hard job.

“You have seen how many players we are resting these days. This kid has played the T20s and the four high-intensity Tests. The body also takes a wear and tear. He is having a few niggles, he needs to recover. I am sure he will come back much stronger. He is the only wicketkeeper to score a hundred in England and Australia. We have given him some targets. We have set him he has to finish the matches and come. This Sydney Test match will be a turning point in his career,” Prasad added.

On the other hand, Sourav Ganguly had also praised Rishabh Pant for his aggressive batting. The Prince of Kolkata believes Pant is going to shine in the future.

“He will be a superb player for India in the future. He has been so good in the series and in future also, he will shine,” Ganguly told reporters on the sidelines of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fixture against Punjab.

Rishabh Pant has impressed with his pyrotechnics. However, he hasn’t had a good start to his ODI career as he has scored only 41 runs in three ODIs.