India vs New Zealand 2019: Rishabh Pant is an Asset to Our Team – Shikhar Dhawan
Feb 5, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Ahead of the first T20I between New Zealand and India, India’s opener Shikhar Dhawan has heaped high praise on Rishabh Pant. India’s southpaw batsman Shikhar Dhawan believes rookie batsman Rishabh Pant is a great asset for the India National Cricket Team. Pant has had a promising start to his Test career and he is would like to seal his limited overs berth.
Pant was at his best in the four-match Test series against Australia. The combative southpaw batsman was the second highest run-getter in the Test series as he scored 350 runs. Pant was able to bring his best to the table and that performance must have added a shot in the arm to him.
Pant will like to deliver the goods in the shortest form.
Rishabh Pant has an aggressive style of batting and Shikhar Dhawan believes Pant can change the course of the match with his attacking batting.
Welcome to the T20 format. What would you call this shot from @RishabPant777 🤔😱 #TeamIndia #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/R5QTJNFtQI
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 5, 2019
“He’s an aggressive batsman and he can take away the game from the opposition in a jiffy. He’s a great asset for our team and I’m sure that he will grab this opportunity with both hands,” Dhawan said.
Rishabh Pant has had a merry start to his Test career and he would like to carry the same form in the shortest format. Pant’s game is suited to T20 cricket as he likes to catapult his attack on the bowlers from the get-go.
On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan had a fine T20I series against Australia as he awarded the Man of the series award. Thus, Dhawan will like to continue with his good form against the Blackcaps.
“I feel like it’s a change of mindset and it depends on the type of wicket we are playing on. If there’s not much swing, naturally I feel that I’ve got a lot of shots to offer. That is how automatically the strike rate goes up,” Dhawan said.
“My last T20 season went really well and I’ll like to keep going with the same mindset and approach. Of course, this format demands aggressive batting and I’ll try to display it tomorrow and in the further matches.”
India had clinched the ODI series against New Zealand by 4-1. Hence, they would aim to continue their good show going in the T20I series. The opener of the series will take place at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on 6th February.