Published: Jun 06, 2024, 01:32 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 06, 2024, 01:32 PM (IST)
New York: India will continue with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup following his gritty performance against Ireland, said batting coach Vikram Rathour, who also expressed his delight at having a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the fold.
Pant, who returned to top-flight cricket in the IPL, is making a comeback to international cricket after a long gap.
The wicket-keeper delivered the goods in India’s eight-wicket thrashing of Ireland in their opening game here on Wednesday.
On a challenging pitch with uneven bounce, run-scoring was difficult but Pant unleashed a few stunning shots, including a reverse-scoop over the Irish wicket-keeper’s head for a match-winning six in his unbeaten knock of 36.
The Ireland match was Pant’s first game for India since December 2022 when he was involved in a horrific car accident.
“Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good,” Rathour told the media after the match here at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium.
“Yes, at the moment he is our No. 3 and it helps that he is a left-hander,” Rathour added, in a way cementing the combination of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top.
Pant made his way back into the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup after proving his fitness and form in the IPL.
