(Cricket News) Just over a month ago, there were doubts over Rishabh Pant being a part of the Delhi Capitals and move forward a month, Pant can now well be India’s vice-captain at the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pant is in serious contention besides Hardik Pandya for being the deputy to Rohit Sharma at the global event.
Pant post his comeback to cricket has been prolific as a keeper-batter and as well as a captain. Although his side Delhi Capitals were not in a very good position after the first few games of the IPL, but he led his team pretty well and helped them to make a strong comeback winning some crucial games.
The Indian selection committee are likely to meet on the 1st of May to decide on India’s final 15 for the big event next month. There is a possibility that Pant would be re-appointed as Rohit’s deputy. Pant has been in this role, before he met a horrific incident on the last day of 2022. He has also led the Indian side in the T20I series against South Africa at home.
Pant’s comeback has been a story for the ages. His determination and grit made him comeback to the field a couple of months earlier than the doctors expected. His route to return was a difficult one, but his self belief never faltered.
Pant’s appointment, however will not be an easy decision with Hardik Pandya being the designated vice-captain. Pandya was also the primarily name to in fact lead India at the T20 World Cup, but few months back, BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it sure that Rohit will be the one to lead the Indian side at the global event.
Pandya has been the vice-captain for India in the white-ball format for quite some time now. He was also the designated vice-captain at the World Cup last year. He has also led India’s T20I side on various occasions in the last year or so.
The India national selectors, will have a good headache to choose from a pool of players. The top order is likely to be consisted of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. Options like Shubhman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad would also be probably looked at. Rishabh Pant is expected to be the first-choice wicket-keeper, with Samson, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan being the other options.
The middle order will feature Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. One or both of Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh will be there. Kuldeep will be the specialist spinner in the side, while Axar, Bishnoi and Chahal will fight for a spot. Chahal is currently the highest wicket-taker of the IPL and is having a very good IPL season. Can he make a comeback to the national side would be a thing to watch out for.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack, while Arshdeep Singh and Mohammad Siraj are the front runners to be the other pacers. Sandeep Sharma can also be a potential choice on the back of his heroics this IPL. India’s pace sensation Mayank Yadav would also be thinking to make a cut to the national side for the very first time.
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