Former India player turned commentator Dinesh Karthik believes that Team India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant could be India’s highest run-getter at the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. He looked in great touch with the bat during the opening encounter against Ireland on Wednesday, June 5 as well. However, Pant remained unbeaten on 36 runs as India chased down the 96-run total in 12.2 overs to clinch an eight-wicket win as well.
While talking about his knock, Karthik said during a discussion on Cricbuzz: “I genuinely felt he (Rishabh Pant) batted outstandingly well. I would actually go out on a limb to say that he could end up India’s highest run-getter. He is getting into great positions and his choice of shots very, very good; I really enjoyed it. He has got his mojo back in terms of how he wants to approach an inning. Very aggressive right from the start, but more importantly, the way he got into positions to play certain shots tells me that he is going to be very, very potent in this World Cup.”
ALSO READ: Kirti Azad welcomes BCCI’s new directive in central contract
“It’s a great sign for India because left-hander, top of the order, taking on bowlers, plays spin brilliantly, and he is one of those guys if he gets going, he will win you a game comfortably. Couldn’t be happier for him. I know Rohit Sharma played very well and rightfully so, but he had his luck. This guy, even though it was not big in terms of volume, just his method to reach that score was brilliant,” the cricketer-turned-commentator further added.
Notably, Rishabh Pant returned to international cricket with the 2024 T20 World Cup after a lengthy injury-forced layoff after facing a horrific car crash in December 2022. He also scored a fine half-century in India’s only 2024 T20 World Cup warm-up match, scoring 53 off 26 balls against Bangladesh as well.
However, Rishabh Pant returned to action with the IPL 2024, amassing 446 runs in 13 innings which came at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40. He also became the leading run-getter for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 a swell.
“I genuinely thought walking into the IPL it could be very hard for him (Rishabh Pant) because of his recovery, and if you don’t play for a year, the feel of playing matches, you lose it a lot. It takes time and IPL is such a quick and high-paced tournament, you need to get on the run right away. I thought it was going to be hard, but the way he has done it, credit to him, hats off. He is a deserving candidate and now you can see why people rate him so highly,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.
