Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. (Photo: Twitter)

Rishabh Pant was named as the skipper of the Indian men’s cricket squad for the T20I series against South Africa as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reported that KL Rahul was precluded because of a right groin injury on Wednesday. 

The selectors didn’t name a replacement for Rahul, with the main assigned openers in the Indian side being Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan and Venkatesh Iyer not having opened for India.   

Rishabh Pant Hints At Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Name As Replacement For KL Rahul

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image Credit: Twitter)

Pant gave a major clue that Ruturaj Gaikwad is probably going to supplant the harmed KL Rahul at the top of the order and accomplice Ishan Kishan in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. 

“I think there would not be many changes in the batting order as KL would have opened. There will be one change for sure, we do not have many openers… You guys can guess. We will discuss the team after some time,” Pant said on ahead of the clash. 

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Gaikwad couldn’t reproduce last season’s Orange Cap winning execution and scored 368 runs at an average of 26.29 and strike rate of 126.46 for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022. 

“It’s a very good feeling although it didn’t come in good circumstances. The news just came in for me as well an hour back so I’m also processing it. I haven’t even digested the information yet. It is a great feeling getting this opportunity, especially in my hometown,” Pant said. 

My Batting Order Will Depend On The Conditions: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant (Image: Twitter)

At the point when gotten some information about his own batting position, with him testing during his time driving the Delhi Capitals, he said, “My batting order will depend on the conditions. In these conditions, we can’t have a floating batting line because we play spinners day in and day out. 

“But if we need a floating batting line up we will have it,“ he added. 

Rishabh Pant Excited About Indian Captaincy Debut

Pant will make his Team India captaincy debut at his home ground and the 24-year-old was blissful on being given the honour and obligation. 

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. Credits: BCCI

“It’s a very good feeling. Didn’t come under very good circumstances. At the same time, I am feeling happy. I would like to thank BCCI for giving me this opportunity to lead the Indian side. I will try to make most of it,” Pant said. 

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“But first of all, thank you to all my well wishers throughout my journey for supporting me through my thick and thins of my cricketing career. But I would like to make this as a base to keep improving and making my life better and better each and every day,” added Pant. 

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