India’s one of the youngsters who has been in a formidable form for the last couple of months is none other than Rishabh Pant. From Test century to recent form in Indian Premier League (IPL), he is one of the strong contenders in the India team. However, he has been excluded from the upcoming ICC World Cup squad. This might be a loss for India according to former India captain Sourav Ganguly. The mega event will take place from May 30 in England.
“India will miss Pant at the World Cup. I don’t know in whose place, but he will be missed,” Sourav Ganguly told reporters at Eden Gardens.
21-year-old Rishabh Pant is one of the dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman in the current India circuit. Everyone was expecting his inclusion in the World Cup squad but the national selectors named Dinesh Karthik as the second wicketkeeper in the 15-member squad; which surprised many. Pant has a great year in the IPL for Delhi Capitals. He scored 488 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 162.66 at an average of 37.53.
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On the other hand, India’s middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav got injured in the shoulder during an IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. However, the medical staff are waiting to watch whether he would be available for India’s first game in the World Cup against South Africa on June 5.
While asking whether Pant could come up in place of Jadhav, if he fails to get fit, Ganguly expressed his concern.
“He is injured. It’s difficult to say whether he will get fit or not. I hope Kedar gets fit,” he added.
Sourav Ganguly was named the advisor of Delhi Capitals prior to the IPL. The team, however, performed pretty well and nearly pulled off to the final this year.
“We played exceptionally well but two other teams made the final. The season just got over, we have not thought about it (the way forward),” Ganguly said about the defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the second Qualifier.
“Two best captains of the IPL and one of them won. Everyone will learn under pressure. Both CSK and Mumbai were fantastic teams,” said Ganguly.
India will start their World Cup campaign against South Africa at the Rose Bowl, Southampton on Wednesday, June 5.
