Shikhar Dhawan terms Rishabh Pant: The Indian opening batsman was wax lyrical about the 21-year old wicket-keeper batsman.
Having won the five-match ODI series 4-1, India will now face the hosts in three T20Is in the second leg of their tour of New Zealand. The first of the three T20Is will be played at Wellington tomorrow.
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Despite the change in the format, India will continue to try some players ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. With wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant not being present in the ODI series in Australia and New Zealand, his form in these three matches could decide his selection for the ODI series against Australia back home and eventually the world event.
Rishabh Pant should be #4 against Australia in India. #NZvsIND
— The Alchemist (@ponananthvs) February 3, 2019
Please take my question for picking rishabh pant you have to sacrifice Dinesh kartik or third spinner #AskSportsTak
— Anuj (@Anuj15189104) February 4, 2019
Speaking to the media during the pre-match press conference at Wellington, India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan was hopeful of Pant grabbing the opportunity with both hands when asked about his junior from Delhi.
“He is an aggressive batsman, an asset for the team, can take away games from opposition in a very short time. I hope he grabs this opportunity (in T20s) with both hands,” Dhawan was quoted as saying.
#asksportstak @vikrantgupta73 sir do u think rishabh pant has the capability to walk at 10 for 2 wickets and score a hundred
— sarthak (@sarthak04024056) February 5, 2019
#AskStar Rishabh Pant should get an opportunity in T20 match
— Nawal Kishore (@NawalKi62192780) February 4, 2019
Dhawan was also asked if playing more ODIs in place of three T20Is would have been better for the team ahead of the World Cup. Responding in his archetype hilarious manner, the southpaw believed that five ODIs were more than enough.
“I think we played enough ODIs. How much more would we have played? It’s good that we are going to play T20Is now. At the end of the day, we too are humans and our bodies need a bit of rest. I think five ODIs are more than enough. We would take 4-1 and go happy back home,” Dhawan concluded in a funny way.
Watch the full video of Dhawan’s press conference below:
