Former India cricketer wants Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in Indian team for T20 World Cup 2024

1983 World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the team for T20 World Cup 2024. The latter has been out of the game since December 30, 2022. The left-hander met with an accident in the wee hours of that day. Pant’s recovery is uncertain but the team would want him to be ready for the tournament.

Talking about the team, they last won the tournament in the 2007 edition. Since then, they have been searching for their second title. England is the only team to have done it twice (2010 and 2022). Meanwhile, former India cricketer has said that even if Pant is on one leg, he should play in the World Cup.

Rishabh Pant is the game changer: Sunil Gavaskar

The 1983 ODI World Cup winner feels that even though KL Rahul is doing well but Pant can come into the side.

“I see him (Rahul) as a wicketkeeper as well but I will say one thing before that – if Rishabh Pant is fit on even one leg, he should come in the team because he is a game-changer in every format. If I am the selector, I will put his name first,” Gavaskar said. “However, if Rishabh Pant is unavailable and KL Rahul keeps wickets, it will be good because the balance will also get created. Then you have the option to play him as an opener or use him in the middle order as a finisher at No. 5 or No. 6,” the former India skipper added.

“Competition between players is good. All three players are good. We have seen Jitesh Sharma. He is an impressive striker and finisher. In T20 cricket, wicketkeepers usually stay back and are rarely close to the stumps. So even if you don’t have that much wicketkeeping prowess but have batting and form, you can come in the team,” Gavaskar added.