Former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden has revealed the name of the player he would like to see replace Rishabh Pant in the upcoming ICC Test Championship final between India and Australia.
Team India will have their task cut when they decide to pick the replacement for their star wicketkeeper-batsman whose overseas record in Tests has been absolutely phenomenal. Pant is currently sidelined and is recovering after meeting with a car accident in December last year.
In his absence, India have named two wicketkeepers – KS Bharat and uncapped Ishan Kishan in the squad. KL Rahul’s absence has only made things worse for Team India. The former India vice-captain can keep wickets but has been ruled out of the game after suffering a thigh injury while fielding during the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier this month.
Matthew Hayden reveals his choice:
While only time will tell who replaces Pant in the playing eleven, Matthew Hayden believes Ishan Kishan should get the nod ahead of KS Bharat. Calling Pant’s absence a big loss for India, the Australian great said that he would pick Kishan because he is more dynamic.
“One of the big losses to Indian cricket right now is Rishabh Pant. If I was an Indian selector, I certainly go with the more dynamic wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, he also adds that bit of swagger to the batting line up and in the fielding unit as well,” Matthew Hayden told PTI.
Kishan earned his maiden Test call-up for the home series against Australia earlier this year but could not make his debut. With Pant out, Bharat kept the wickets but failed to impress with both bat and wicketkeeping gloves. Kishan recently had a good campaign in the IPL where he scored 454 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians.