We Want Rishabh Pant To Become Consistent For The Team: Virat Kohli
Published - 03 Aug 2019, 02:11 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:01 AM
India skipper Virat Kohli has urged the youngsters to make the most of the opportunity in the upcoming series against West Indies. The right-handed batsman especially pointed out Rishabh Pant to make the opportunity count. This is the first time, Pant has got a chance in a limited-overs series as a first choice wicketkeeper.
He is being widely seen as MS Dhoni’s replacement and a good performance against West Indies will definitely place him high in the pecking order. Pant has pretty much cemented his spot in the Test side after making his debut last year and now needs to impress in white-ball cricket too. Kohli said that the team-management wants Pant to become a consistent performer. At the same time, he reiterate that Dhoni’s experience is crucial for the team.
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“It’s a great opportunity for someone like Rishabh Pant to really play a lot of international cricket, show his credentials, really unleash his potential at this stage,” Virat Kohli said ahead of the first T20I against West Indies.
“We know how much ability he has and we all want him to become a consistent performer for the Indian cricket team. MS’s experience is always going to be a very crucial factor but having said that some of these younger guys have a great opportunity ahead of them and they should just look forward to it,” he added.
Kohli’s comment pretty much proves that India are now finally looking beyond Dhoni. The former India skipper is looking like a pale shadow of his past self in recent times. He recently faced criticism for his performance in the World Cup as he was questioned for his slow knocks and intent. Dhoni is currently on a break from cricket and is serving Indian army.
The World Cup-winning skipper is likely to return to the team when India host South Africa after the West Indies tour.
