Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has urged Rishabh Pant to show more responsibility in his batting approach. The advice comes ahead of the three-match ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite Rishabh Pant‘s inconsistent performance in 50-over cricket, Rishabh Pant has been picked as the second wicket-keeper for the Champions Trophy squad, ahead of players like Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan.
Former cricketer Suresh Raina highlighted Rishabh Pant’s significant role in India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Raina stated that Rishabh Pant needs to play responsibly, especially if Yashasvi Jaiswal is not in the playing eleven. He emphasized Rishabh Pant’s potential as a game-changer for India during the tournament.
Rishabh Pant’s record in white ball cricket
Since making his ODI debut against West Indies in 2018, Rishabh Pant has garnered 871 runs in 31 matches with a strike rate of 106.21. Despite a lackluster performance against Sri Lanka in 2024, Raina acknowledged Rishabh Pant’s improvement in wicket-keeping and sees the England series as a crucial opportunity for him to enhance his skills further.
Raina also recognized Rishabh Pant’s potential in ODIs, referring to his solitary century – an unbeaten 125 against England in 2022. He stressed that if Rishabh Pant got 40-50 deliveries, he could be a game-changer for India. KL Rahul is likely to be India’s first choice keeper-batter ahead of Pant. Rahul played a prominent role in the ODI World Cup in 2023. He also brings more value and lends a balance to the side.
In 77 ODIs, KL Rahul owns 2,851 runs at an impressive 49.15. He has 7 tons and 18 fifties under his belt. His strike rate is 87.56. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant owns 871 runs from 33 ODIs at 33.50. Rishabh Pant has one ton and 5 fifties. Rishabh Pant strike rate is 106.21. As per ESPNCricinfo, Rahul has played 37 matches as India’s wicketkeeper, claiming 49 catches and 4 stumpings. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has 23 catches and one stumping.
Raina highlighted the potential of Pant, particularly if youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal does not make it to the playing eleven, emphasizing Pant’s ability to bat in strategic positions. He urged Rishabh Pant to maximize his talents, ensuring his aggressive play positively contributes to India’s chances in the tournament hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.
Suresh Raina shares an advice for Indian batter Rishabh Pant ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy
Former India batter Suresh Raina backed keeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s selection in Men in Blue’s 15-member 2025 Champions Trophy squad. He, however, urged the aggressive cricketer to bat with greater responsibility in the ODI format.
Pant was picked over Kerala stumper Sanju Samson in Team India’s Champions Trophy squad. Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21. On the other hand, Samson has 510 runs in 16 ODIs, averaging 56.66 at a strike rate of 99.60.
While several fans have questioned the decision to select Pant ahead of Samson, Raina was not too displeased with the move. He, however, had some advice for the Delhi cricketer about his batting in the ODIs. The former India cricketer told Star Sports Press Room (as quoted by PTI):
“Definitely Pant; his wicket-keeping has improved. But he has to play with more responsibility in a 50-over game. If he stays there for 40-50 balls he can take the game away from the opposition, but he needs to spend more time at the crease.”
Pant hammered a brilliant 125* off 113 balls against England in Manchester in July 2022, slamming 16 fours and two sixes. Having recovered from his injuries sustained in the car accident in December 2022, he made a comeback to ODI cricket during the three-match series in Sri Lanka last year. The southpaw featured in the third ODI but was stumped for six off nine balls.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a disastrous Test tour of Australia recently. He has been retained as skipper for the Champions Trophy but will be under tremendous to prove himself again. Raina, however, backed both the Hitman and India to do well in the ODI competition. The 38-year-old said:
“Rohit has the capacity, he has team but what will be important is our 11-player combination out of 15. The wickets will be a bit slow, but we have the capacity.”
Team India were joint-winners of the Champions Trophy along with Sri Lanka in 2002. They lifted the ICC trophy under MS Dhoni in 2013, beating England in a close final. The Men in Blue finished runners-up in the previous edition of the tournament held in 2017. They went down to Pakistan by 180 runs in the final. Rohit Sharma-led India will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh and they will play all their matches in Dubai.