IND vs WI: Plan Is To Try Out As Many Options As Possible- Rishabh Pant

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant revealed that the plan for India is to prepare for the T20 World Cup and they will be testing out most of the options at their disposal.

India defeated West Indies in the second T20I to secure the 3-match series with a game to go. The final game will be a dead rubber and there are a few options like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mohammed Siraj that the management will be willing to try.

“There’s still time for the World Cup, so the plan is to try out as many options as possible. We are trying to find out which positions suit whom and how they can benefit the team. So we’re trying out several options, whatever seems right for the team eventually will be final,” Pant said in the post-match press conference.

In the second match, West Indies needed 25 runs in the final over bowled by Harshal Patel. It came down to 23 off four balls following which, Rovman Powell smashed two sixes in a row. With the equation down to 11 off 2 balls, Harshal began feeling the pressure. Speaking about the plan in the last two balls, Pant said:

“After getting hit for two sixes, the talk was to try bowling outside off, but then he [Harshal] ultimately backed himself. There’s obviously pressure in the game, but as individuals, we tend to focus on our skill rather than thinking too much.”

“All about giving him confidence” – Rishabh Pant on newcomer Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi made his debut in the first T20I where he took 2/17 in four overs. In the second game as well, he was impressive but he lost confidence when he dropped a simple catch off Nicholas Pooran. Nevertheless, these are the moments that a team needs to come through, as elaborated by Pant.

“For a newcomer in the team, it’s all about giving him confidence. The more you give him confidence, talk to him about what he feels as an individual, all these are important. Yes, we can give our plans, but for a bowler, it’s very important to know what he feels, especially for a youngster who has just come into the team. So if we give him the confidence and let him have his own plan, then he will also learn more,” Pant added.

Bishnoi ended the night with figures of 1/30 while his partner, Yuzvendra Chahal took 1/31 in his four overs.

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