New Delhi: Former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist lavished huge praise on Rishabh Pant’s aggressive and fearless game ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023. At present, the 25-year-old batter is currently on the road to recovery as he met with an accident in December last year.
In the absence of Pant, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were made the part of team India in the upcoming World Cup; both the batters flexed their tremendous form in the recently concluded Asia Cup.
Gilchrist said that it was fascinating for such a young man to have such an impact as Rishabh has had.
“I think Rishabh has inspired a lot of wicket-keeper batters around the world to play that [aggressive] way. It is fascinating for such a young man to have such an impact that Rishabh has had, and others are responding and playing in that positive manner,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Gilchrist reckoned that Ishan Kishan forced the selectors by his performance to keep him in the team in the absence of KL Rahul and Pant. The 52-year-old also opined that KL Rahul would continue with the gloves and Kishan would also be part of the playing XI because of his attacking and dangerous batting.
“They [India] are well stocked,” Gilchrist said. “They have got a couple of [wicketkeeping] options there, obviously, when KL was out with his injury, Ishan Kishan took his opportunity and played really well, and now they find themselves in the team together so that’s a wonderful case of taking an opportunity,” he added.
“Being positive, and then, forcing the selectors into keeping you in the team [is impressive]. It seems like KL is gonna be the one who is going to continue with the gloves but it does not seem to hinder Ishan Kishan’s batting, he seems to be playing really well, carefree, attacking and dangerous.”
However, team India is currently preparing for the three-match ODI series against Australia, which will start from September 22. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will not feature in the first two ODIs. In the absence of the regular skipper, KL Rahul will lead Team India. Veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin is also a part of the squad in absence of injured Axar Patel.
Both Rohit and Kohli will play the third ODI and this will be India’s last match before the World Cup. After finishing the series, both India and Australia will face each other in the upcoming ODI World Cup on October 8 at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Tamil Nadu.
