Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has suggested Rishabh Pant’s new batting position in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He believes that the wicketkeeper-batsman does not fit in the team’s middle order and should take the number one spot. 3rd place in the XI.
Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant looks like a clear favorite to earn a place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. With the kind of performance he has shown in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 ongoing, it is fair to say that he would be the team’s starting goalkeeper at the mega event.
Rishabh Pant, who returned through IPL 2024 after a horrific accident, looked sinister in the tournament. He has single-handedly carried the Delhi Capitals batting line-up in the tournament and makes sure to give his fans immense entertainment like he used to do before.
Rishabh Pant’s best came in the match against Gujarat Titans. He wreaked havoc on the opponent’s bowling line-up and made sure to take his team to a total of over 220. The batsman scored 88 runs off just 43 balls and helped his team win.
Rishabh Pant is the third leading run-getter in IPL 2024 with 342 runs to his name. There have been several reports claiming that the Delhi Capitals captain is the first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in June.
Simon Doull believes Rishabh Pant is approaching his best with the bat. He, however, feels that the keeper-batsman should bat at number 3 as he is a better player than a batsman or batsman. Speaking about the same he stated:
“He’s getting closer. Can he bat at 3? Because I go back to the team I’m looking at (for the T20 World Cup), and he doesn’t fit in the middle order. If he can, he’ll get a closer to the boarding pass. He’s a better player than a batsman or batsman. He comes and makes his way through his innings.”
Could he bat at 3 behind the captain and Virat (Kohli)? – Simon Doull on Rishabh pants
Simon Doull further praised Rishabh Pant as an excellent player and said that the wicketkeeper-batsman is not the player who can fight straight from the ball. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes Pant should bat after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He elaborated:
“That’s why I say he’s an excellent Test player. He’s a good batsman. But I don’t think he’s a player who goes out and starts trying hard, not in today’s T20 cricket. That’s why his numbers aren’t even there. close to as well as they should. So my question is: could he bat at 3 behind the captain and Virat (Kohli)?”
While Pant will be the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, the competition for the team’s second-choice wicketkeeper remains between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson in the team. It is learned that the Lucknow Super Giants captain could get the nod ahead of the Rajasthan Royals captain.