Former Indian cricketer names destructive Indian opener as replacement for Rishabh Pant ahead of Border Gavaskar series
'I feel Ishan Kishan is more suitable as an ideal replacement for Pant,' Karim added.
SHARE
Jan 1, 2023 8:24 pm
Former Indian cricketer name Rishabh Pant’s replacement for Border-Gavaskar series against Australia (Image Source: Twitter)
Just before we changed our calendars, the cricket World witnessed a horrific accident of Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant. The left-handed batsman suffered multiple injuries in a road accident. While all the cricketers and fans wished the southpaw a speedy recovery, it is also time for the Indian Cricket Board to look out for a replacement.
Rishabh Pant is ruled out for a minimum of six months and will be missing multiple tournaments including Border Gavaskar Tournament and Indian T20 League. From the Indian Test team’s perspective, the absence of Rishabh Pant is probably impossible to fill.
The player was key in India’s famous wins at Gabba and in England. He also held the fort for India against Bangladesh with his crucial half-centuries in the recently concluded matches. He was India’s highest scorer in the Test series in 2022. With the World Test Championship 2021-2023 cycle coming to a close, India needs a win against Australia to qualify for the finals.
The Border Gavaskar Tournament will be crucial for India. And in Rishabh Pant’s absence, the eyes are on selectors to find an apt replacement for the No. 6 batsman. The Indian test team has always kept KS Bharat as their backup wicketkeeper after Wriddhiman Saha took a break from regular cricket.
However, former Indian team batsman and commentator, Saba Karim has a different opinion. He wants the Indian Cricket Board to consider Ishan Kishan as a replacement for Pant.
Talking to India News, Saba Karim said:
I agree that KS Bharat is being groomed for the Test keeping role. But with all due respect to him, I feel Ishan Kishan is more suitable as an ideal replacement for Pant, considering the kind of role that Pant was playing in the Test team. He is playing in the Ranji Trophy and has scored a hundred at a quick pace. Ishan Kishan capped his double century with a great century in the recently concluded Jharkhand’s Ranji fixture against Kerala.
