Former Australia Cricket team skipper Ricky Ponting has showered high praise on young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant saying that he can India’s second wicket-keeper in the ICC World Cup alongside MS Dhoni. Meanwhile, there has been a wide-ranging debate on the inclusion of Pant in the squad. While many have backed the southpaw to take up the debatable no four batting slot, others feel it is too early for Pant.
Pant a good thinker
Rishabh Pant, however, has failed to replicate his Test performance in the ODIs. He got a perfect opportunity in the last ODI against Australia but got out from e gem of delivery off Nathan Lyon. Also, he has thrown away his wicket time and again in an attempt to play aggressive shots. However, Ricky Ponting, who has watched Pant from close quarters in the last edition of the IPL believes Pant is an extraordinary talent. Besides, Ponting also feels Rishabh Pant is also a great thinker of the game.
Ponting, who is currently in India to work with the Delhi Capitals, feels Pant is also a good leader, and he understands game and situations very well.
“Rishabh Pant is not only an exceptional talent but also a real good thinker about the game. He has got a really mature head on his shoulders while on the field and probably a little immature off it with some of the things he does. But, he is a fun-loving, young character. I think he is a very mature and a good a leader too. He understands the game and the situations really well,” Ponting told India Today.
With 684 runs from 14 games, Pant was IPL 2018’s second highest run-getter, only behind Kane Williamson. This included one hundred and five half-centuries. He will be desperate to continue the good run and make amends for the lost opportunities in the India jersey. Recently, Rishabh Pant admitted that World Cup spot will always be in his mind when he walks out to bat for the Delhi franchise.
Although India skipper Virat Kohli noted that IPL performance will play no role in the World Cup team selection, Rishabh Pant will be keen to make the most of the next 14 games to be in the good books of the selectors.