Rishabh pant, Ashish Nehra
Rishabh Pant (Credits: Getty)

As the much-awaited ICC World Cup 2019 is inching near, the talks over who should make it to the Team India squad is gathering steam. And it would not be entirely wrong to say that no other player is drawing attention more than Rishabh Pant. When he made his ODI debut last year during the series against Windies at home, many felt that it had all but sealed his spot in the World Cup squad. However, the selectors sprung a big surprise by dropping him for the crucial series in Australia and New Zealand just a handful of months before the World Cup.

But Pant is now once again back in the back after impressing in the T20I series against New Zealand. The selectors also hinted that Pant is in their plans by naming him in the India A squad for the series against England Lions last month. All eyes are now on the MSK Prasad-led panel as they will announce the squad for the upcoming ODIs against Australia which will be India’s last assignment before the World Cup.

Sourav Ganguly Wants Rishabh Pant In India Squad For Australia ODIs
Rishabh Pant (L) (Credits: Getty)

And now former India skipper Sourav Ganguly believes that Pant should be included in the squad for the upcoming series. The legendary batsman said that Pant should be given a chance in the series in order to determine if he can be a match-winner at No. 6.

Read More  Rishabh Pant blames this player after Delhi Capitals' loss vs Rajasthan Royals

“So, if these are your top four batsmen and then MS Dhoni comes with Kedar Jadhav at No.6 and Hardik Pandya at No.7. Dinesh Karthik will also be there and India should undoubtedly play Rishabh Pant in these five ODIs and play in the top-order and we can see if he is your match-winner at No.6 because Pant as a batsman can win you matches. So, giving him chances will be really important,” Ganguly said in IndiaTV’s show Cricket Ki Baat.

He further expressed his disagreement over coach Ravi Shastri’s idea to play skipper Virat Kohli at number four. Ganguly said that the top three of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli is India’s strength and the team-management should not tinker it.

“Virat Kohli will be coming back in the series to play at No.3. I was reading in the papers that Ravi (Shastri) wants him to play at No.4 but I don’t know who will play at No.3 then. Maybe Ambati Rayudu will play at No.3 with Kohli at No.4 but I don’t think that it is the right move because Kohli at No.3 is a huge player and this is India’s strength in ODIs – Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,” he said.

Sourav Ganguly Wants Rishabh Pant In India Squad For Australia ODIs
Rishabh Pant (R)(Credits: Getty)

Meanwhile, chief selector MSK Prasad called Pant a ‘healthy headache’, hinting that Pant can make it to the squad for the World Cup.

Read More  RR vs DC Weather Report Live Today And Pitch Report Of Sawai Mansingh Stadium– IPL 2024, Match 9

“Undoubtedly he (Pant) is in contention. A healthy headache. The progression of Rishabh in the last one year is phenomenal across the formats. What we actually felt is he needs a bit of maturity now, gain more experience. That is the reason we have included him in India A series wherever possible,” Prasad told ESPNcricinfo.

India will play two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia, starting on February 24 in Vizag.

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.