Former BCCI selector Saba Karim feels that opening the batting will be the best position for Rishabh Pant to bat in T20Is. He also said that the keeper batter loves challenges and the left and right-hand combination will work very well for India.
Rishabh Pant is multi-dimensional and the opening is the best position for him – Saba Karim
Indian management surprised many when Rishabh Pant was rested for the first game against Pakistan. The keeper-batter was then drafted into the India XI for the game against Hong Kong in place of Hardik Pandya, who was rested.
India is now slated to face Pakistan on Sunday (4th September) and there are a lot of speculations about whether Pant will be in the Indian XI or not. But Indian management has clearly revealed that they are giving nod to Karthik ahead of Pant.
Whack Whack Whack at the nets 💥 💥, courtesy @imjadeja & @RishabhPant17 👌👌#TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2022 | #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/FNVCbyoEdn
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However, if India wants to adjust Pant in the XI, they can slot him in at the top as KL Rahul is also struggling to score runs.
Speaking on Sports 18 show ‘Sports Over the Top’, Karim was asked about his views on Pant’s batting position, to which he said that management should adjust him at the top. He said:
“Honestly speaking, I think the best position for Rishabh Pant to bat is in the opening slot. He is multi-dimensional, he can play different kinds of roles and if you send him up the order the left and right-hand combination will work very well for India, plus he loves these challenges,” he said.
“Pant can also go on and play big innings in T20 format” – Saba Karim
Notably, Rishabh Pant was given the opportunity to open the innings against England in the two T20Is. He did look impressive but failed to convert his starts in both games.
Saba Karim feels that allowing Pant to open the innings will get him into the groove and he can even play big innings in the T20 format. He said:
“While playing in the powerplay, there are challenges ahead of him because you have more fielders inside the circle, you can always go over the top, and once he gets into that kind of a groove he can also go on and play a big innings in T20 format,” he said.
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Rishabh Pant hitting huge sixes to Indian Bowlers like Yuzvundra Chahal & Deepak Chahar. pic.twitter.com/paPGBfHuq9
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