Sunil Gavaskar Echoes Words of Shane Warne on Rishabh Pant’s Promotion

Feb 15, 2019 at 1:42 PM

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Sunil Gavaskar Echoes Words of Shane Warne on Rishabh Pant’s Promotion

Veteran Indian National Cricket Team Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has backed the idea of legendary Shane Warne regarding the promotion of young Rishabh Pant. Warne has admitted the fact that despite having Shikhar Dhawan at the top, he would like to see Pant opening the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. He opined such tactical changes would befuddle the opposition while referring Pant as an X-factor. Meanwhile, Gavaskar maintained it’s a good idea to settle with Pant at the top.

India, Rishabh Pant, MSK Prasad
Recently, Pant played a decent knock in Auckland during the second T20I against the Black Caps. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The former Indian skipper Gavaskar further feels Pant’s promotion would pave the way for the third option in the squad.

“Yes, why not. If you open with Rishab Pant, it opens up a third option for you as well,” Gavaskar told India Today.

The 69-year-old Gavaskar has often heaped praise on the 20-year-old Pant, who is known for his pyrotechnics. Recently, Pant has left an impact on Australia tour apart from his remarkable hundred in England.

In his recent show, Pant slammed unbeaten 159 in Sydney.

The Little Master Gavaskar reiterated if Pant would come good owing to his promotion, added he could also be used in the middle.

If he does well at the top, he is someone who can also be played in the middle order,” Gavaskar told India Today.

The recent reports suggested Delhi youngster has almost booked his seat for the 2019 World Cup. However, Pant has to give the best shot in the impending limited-overs home against Australia, starting February 24 in Vizag.

Gavaskar on left-right combination:

Sunil Gavaskar, India, Rishabh Pant
Sunil Gavaskar sees bright prospect in Pant. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

While focusing on the importance of left-right combination, Gavaskar stressed it eventually makes a case pretty difficult for the bowlers. He cited it has been the reason in seeing Rohit and Dhawan succeeding at the top.

“Pant is a left-hander as well. It’s important to have a left-right combination going because it does make the bowlers task that much more difficult. That’s why Rohit-Dhawan have been so successful,” Gavaskar said.

Also, India will play the five-match One-day International series against Australia. It will run between March 2 and March 13.

Earlier, the selection committee’s chief selector MSK Prasad has hinted Pant’s contention in the quadrennial event.

Gavaskar has also maintained the example of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and explosive opener Virender Sehwag. He stated if Pant succeeded with the bat at the top it would be an advantage for the Team India.

“So have Sachin-Ganguly and Sehwag-Ganguly in the past. So if Pant succeeds as an opener, that’s great for your side,” Gavaskar concluded.

Recently, Pant had somewhat a decent outing in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. Hosts sealed the series 2-1.

The rookie has featured in nine Tests in which he amassed 696 runs at the average of 49.71. He smashed two hundreds and two fifties in 15 Test innings.

In the limited-overs leg, Pant played 13 T20Is and three ODIs since February 1 2017.

The ICC World Cup 2019 will kick off on May 30 with the match between hosts England and Faf du Plessis-led South Africa.

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