Matthew Hayden has said that Rishabh Pant needs to improve his game against spin heading into next month’s T20 World Cup. He also added that Virat Kohli, with his stunning shows in IPL 2024, has answered all. Pant has been leading the Delhi Capitals (DC) in an IPL 2024 league game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Delhi on Tuesday.

On the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Hayden said, “Rishabh has got to work on scoring angles and scoring zones, and manipulation of strike as well. He tends to be all or nothing against spin. That’s the way Rishabh Pant plays against pace as well but with spin, you also have to have the subtleties, the wrists, and the ability to rotate strike, so that if you do get under pressure, you can get off it.”

“So that’s one area the Indian side will be really looking to see some improvement. The IPL asked that of Virat Kohli and he has answered those questions. So Rishabh, in that vein, can take on some of the criticisms, some of the numbers that we suggest, and work out a method of how to at least survive a little longer against spin,” the former Australia opener further added.

However, Rishabh Pant was stumped by KL Rahul off Ravi Bishnoi’s bowling in the Delhi Capitals’ away game against LSG. He is more destructive against pace than spin in IPL 2024. Matthew Hayden also opined on Rishabh Pant’s return against the Lucknow Super Giants.

“Absolutely, it was about a par score for RCB. So to have no Pant made a huge impact. However, it’s not like they hadn’t had a warning either. In fact, most of the franchises have been really late with their overs,” he replied.”So, it’s disappointing, but to have Pant back – in form, captain of the side as well. Axar Patel didn’t nurse that chair as well as what he would have liked for the Delhi Capitals,” he concluded.