Rishabh Pant is 'one for the future' but unsure if he fits in the World Cup: Sourav Ganguly

Veteran cricketer Sourav Ganguly is a man of opinions. He’s almost never diplomatic and showcases his arguments in a healthy and succinct way. He recently spoke about Rishabh Pant and his chances in the Indian team. Pant is definitely ‘one for the future’, the former Indian captain said. However, Dada is not sure if the young and able wicket-keeper batsman can fit into India’s World Cup mix.

Pant, who made his ODI debut against the Windies in late 2018, has been selected ahead of Dinesh Karthik for the five-match ODI series against Australia. Quite certainly the Indian captain and management have certain plans for the young guy as this series is India’s last 50-overs affair before the World Cup in England and Wales. However, the Maharaja of Cricket is not too convinced with Pant and his role in the ICC’s biggest event.

Ganguly’s take on Dinesh Karthik’s concern has also been to the point. “Karthik is not part of the ODI squad then obviously they are not thinking him as an option. It depends on what the selectors want,” Ganguly was quoted as saying in India Today. Speaking on the rest of the prepared squad, he said: “India are a very good side. It’s a very strong side.

They are a pretty much self-selected team. I don’t see too many changes in the squad. Bowling is good in (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar). Batting picks itself. Spinners (Yuzvendra) Chahal and Kuldeep (Yadav). They are pretty self-selected team.”

Ganguly’s take on Rishabh Pant

Ganguly’s major concern lies in the fact that Pant has an experience of only three ODI games as of now. Even by the end of this series the sample space of eight matches would be too small. “He has to fit in. I don’t know whether he would be able to fit in at this moment. So it depends. But he’s obviously a player for the future,” Ganguly said in an interview at the Eden Gardens. But Virat Kohli has insisted on giving Pant more match time and will certainly look into his performance in the upcoming ODI series.

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