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The former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has picked the wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant in his T20 World Cup 2024 team for India if he gets fit for the marquee tournament this summer. The 26-year-old is currently in his recovery phase at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after suffering multiple injuries in a car crash in December 2022.
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Just a few days ago, Rishabh Pant was spotted having a net at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, playing some of his signature strokes in front of a few fans, according to a Times of India report. With that, the left-handed batter is looking set to make his return to professional cricket during the IPL 2024 after getting renamed as the captain of Delhi Capitals.
While speaking to TOI, Suresh Raina spoke about how the presence of Rishabh Pant is going to bolster the batting lineup of India. He was quoted as saying, “Absolutely. He (Rishabh Pant) should be considered. He is a game-changer. He has done that in the past. He has been a great player in white-ball cricket.”
If Rishabh is fit, he should be in the World Cup team: Suresh Raina
The former ICC Cricket World Cup winner for India also highlighted how the fitness of Rishabh Pant will be the deciding factor in him representing the national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. “But his fitness would come into the picture. It depends on how fit KL Rahul will be by the time the World Cup arrives and his form will also matter. If Rishabh is fit, he should be in the World Cup team,” added Suresh Raina.
Notably, Rishabh Pant last played cricket for India in December 2022 in a pulsating Test match against Bangladesh away from home, which they managed to win by three wickets at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Nagpur.