Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has picked Rishabh Pant as a very important player for Team India. The former domestic giant reckons Pant has disappointed in the limited-overs format but his performances in Test matches have been exemplary.
Pant hasn’t yet taken the white-ball formats by storm however he has delivered consistently in the red-ball version of the game. The pugnacious southpaw batter has the skills to turn the game on its head with his aggressive batting and he has done a fine job for the team.
The left-hander has already played some match-winning knocks in his young Test career. Pant has scored 2130 runs in 32 Test matches at an average of 43.47 and a strike rate of 72.55.
Pant has delivered for the team in the tough Australian conditions and he has also scored centuries in England and South Africa this year.
“Rishabh Pant has been disappointing in T20 cricket as well as ODIs for that matter, but he has got a small break. I’m sure his mind must have been refreshed after the break. He is a very important player for Team India and I feel his performances are necessary for the side,” Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.
On the other hand, Jaffer also expects Virat Kohli to come up with a big score in two Test matches against the Tigers. However, Kohli was dismissed cheaply by Taijul Islam for a solitary run in the first innings of the opening Test on Wednesday at Chhatogram.
“The performances of Pujara, Kohli and Pant matter a lot. I am expecting a big score from Kohli in one contest, if not both the matches, because the pitch is really good to bat on and he looks in good form at the moment,” added the former India opener.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is going to hold the key for India and there is no doubt he has been India’s best Test batter in the last couple of years.
Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has picked Rishabh Pant as a very important player for Team India. The former domestic giant reckons Pant has disappointed in the limited-overs format but his performances in Test matches have been exemplary.
