Rishabh Pant is one of the proficient cricketer in the new 18 indian squad for England Tests.. Although the long serving cricketer Sourav Ganguly was not satisfied by Pant’s performance during Australia Tests. Rishabh Pant has been named as the vice-captain of Indian Test side which somewhat means that he won’t be rested/dropped from side unless he is injured given KL Rahul is also there in squad as another wicket-keeper.
Rishabh Pant has got the ability, but it’s about application- Sourav Ganguly
One of the most long serving Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly was not well pleased by Rishabh Pant’s performance as he was expecting more from him playing against Australia. As per Ganguly Pant has ability but he has to be knowledgable about the application. Undoubtedly Pant is a formidable wicket keeper in Indian Test team 2025. However, on the capacity of Pant Ganguly envisioned,
“He’s a very good player, but he has to continue playing the way he played a few years ago. I saw him in Australia, and I didn’t like what I saw. Too many shots. He kept swinging. The ball decked around at certain venues. He has got the ability, there is no doubt about that, but it’s about the application. I want to see some more fight from him. He’s got a very good defence. So, he has to defend and now swing at every ball.”
The 27 year old cricketer has first started his five days test series on 18 february, 2018 against England, Nottingham. In this match, he scored 114 runs against the target of 464 runs. However, in the previous match against Australia, Rishabh Pant has shown his wonderful batting timing when he made 159 runs in a total of 622 in Sydney and 97 off 118 and 89 off 138 in Sydney and Brisbane respectively.
In 12 matches played against Australia altogether, he scored 879 runs with an average of 46.26. even though, his performance was not up to mark. He should have produced his better on the field. now Pant needs to develop his batting style more strategically. Only then India can hope to win ahead of World Test Championship against England.
Sourav Ganguly backs India to win Test series in England
Whereas all of the new Indian Test team including the young like Subhman Gil, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishav Pant were working hard to stay in the play ground against England. Though all the pressure will rest on Pant since he has gained Test experience against England and Australia earlier.
According to many experts assumptions, India, without experienced batters such as Kohli and Sharma and with young pacer may lost the World Test Championship 2025 against England.
The former popular Indian cricketer Ganguly advised that India can win this test with a young squad if they play calculatedly. In speaking of bowling, he suggested keeping Bumrah fit. The former BCCI chairman said, “Yes, sure. We just need two things, batting well and [Jasprit] Bumrah remaining fit. We won in Australia, in Melbourne (2020-21), with a young batting line-up, having no [Virat] Kohli, no Rohit Sharma. So, I do not see why we cannot win,”
Now the question is that will India be win in this match ahead of WTC 2025 against England ? The new Indian team with youngster should give their best in Test battle on 20th June at Lord’s.