ICC Champions Trophy 2025: MS Dhoni’s best friend fires Rishabh Pant big warning: “If he makes a mistake…”
As India begin their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, former batsman Suresh Raina has urged Rishabh Pant to be more responsible with his batting. The left-handed batsman has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The same team will also face England in a three-match ODI series.
Rishabh Pant is one of two wicketkeeper-batsmen in the Indian squad, the other being KL Rahul. As of now, it is not yet clear whether the Delhi star will get the nod before Rahul dons the wicketkeeping gloves.
Many believe that Rahul will be the team’s first-choice wicket-keeper due to his performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup as well as his impressive performance in the recent Test series against Australia.
While Rishabh Pant has become an integral member of the Indian Test team, the same cannot be said for his place in the ODIs as well as the T20I squad.
The left-hander has not really been able to deliver consistent performances in the limited over format. In ODIs, he scored a modest 871 runs in 31 matches at an average of less than 32.
Also read: Watch: Rishabh Pant savagely mocks Preity Zinta’s Punjab Kings: “Only had one tension…”
Rishabh Pant has improved a lot: Suresh Raina
The selection of Rishabh Pant was not liked by many. Many believe that the likes of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan would be a better option. Kishan was part of India’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, while Samson scored two centuries in the T20I series against South Africa in November last year.
However, Raina backed Pant, saying his former India team-mate had improved his wicketkeeping. Raina also said that the upcoming three-match ODI series against England will be a good opportunity for Pant.
“He has improved a lot in wicket-keeping, Rishabh Pant has to play with more responsibility as this is a 50-over tournament,” Raina told Star Sports.
“In the upcoming tournament with England you have 3 One Days, this will be a good opportunity for Rishabh Pant,” he added.
Rishabh Pant can finish the game:
Speaking further, Raina said that Rishabh Pant could play a very crucial role for Team India in ODIs. The former India batsman said that in case Yashasvi Jaiswal does not get a place in the playing eleven, Pant could play the role of finisher for Team India. He also advised Pant to take some time in the middle before going for the big shots.
“It depends on how you play, I think Rishabh Pant, if Yashasvi doesn’t play in the top order, he will play a very important role, he can bat at number four and he can bat before Hardik, because if Rishabh continues to play 40-50 deliveries then can finish the game,” Raina said.
“He has to tell himself that if I play fifty deliveries then I can score 80-100 runs, but it is important for him to spend some time. If he makes a mistake, it will cost him a lot because he has that talent, he has that ability, he will be the X factor for the Indian team,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played from February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE. India will play all their matches in the UAE. Team India is in Group A along with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand.
