Sourav Ganguly backs Rishabh Pant to play for 15 years and in many more World Cups

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s failure to make it to India’s World Cup 2019 squad has been a disappointment for many. The explosive 21-year-old could be one of India’s major trump cards on the world stage, a section of the experts said. However, former India captain, Sourav Ganguly feels the failure to make this squad should not come as a disappointment for the Delhi cricketer for he is a long-race horse.

Ganguly has, in fact, said that Pant will don the national colours for at least 15 years and play “many more World Cups”. A poor show with the gloves saw Pant losing the spot for the second wicket-keeper in the WC squad to a more experienced Dinesh Karthik. Dada said that with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Karthik not set to play forever (both are on the wrong side of 30s), the field is open for Pant in the days to come.

Dhoni will not play forever, nor will DK; Rishabh next best, says Ganguly

“Dhoni will not play on forever. DK will also not play on forever. Rishabh is the next best. Pant is the future absolutely. He’s got 15-16 years ahead of him. I don’t see it as a major blow. I don’t think it’s a problem. He might miss this World Cup but he will play many more World Cups. This is not the end of road for him,” Hindustan Times cited reports quoting the former batsman who himself has played three World Cups (1999-2007) and captained the side in one in which India finished as the runners-up.

Ganguly, 46, further added that as a selector, he might have picked Pant but backed Karthik as “good”. “I think it’s a good team, they picked themselves. I don’t think many missed out. Rishabh would have been great but that’s the way it goes,” Ganguly, who is working in the role of mentor with Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League, said.

Pant also plays for the same franchise and was seen being lifted by the former cricketer after he hit a 36-ball 78 not out against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur recently.

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