IND BAN 1st ODI: India Practice Bangladesh: Rishabh Pant had a long practice session after skipping the first day. Along with Shikhar Dhawan and others, he arrived from NewZealand on Friday. On Saturday though, he hit the nets and had a long session under head batting coach Vikram Rathour’s guidance. Later, Rahul Dravid also had a discussion with him following the nets session. He has hit a slump in white-ball cricket and even though he argues his numbers are right there, he will look to hit back at the critics. India vs Bangladesh 1st ODI starts at 11:30 AM on Sunday. Follow IND vs BAN LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
With Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan hot on his heels, Rishabh Pant can consider the Bangladesh series as his last opportunity. Despite the team management’s trust, the new incoming body of selectors may not give him a longer rope.
IND BAN 1st ODI: After skipping 1st day of practice, Rishabh Pant spends long time at NETS in Dhaka to get form back, Check OUT
Even though he hit a century in England and 85 in South Africa, he has not been his usual self. His recent struggles in T20s and in NZ ODI series are alarming.
During the NewZealand tour, Pant had scores of 6, 11, 15 and 10 which also revived the debate about his place in the white-ball team. Several cricket experts and pundits want Sanju Samson to replace Pant in India’s limited-overs squad.
Rishabh Pant in NZ:
- 15 off 23 in 1st ODI
- DNB in 2nd ODI
- 10 off 16 in 3rd ODI
- 6 off 13 in 1st T20
- 11 off 5 in 3rd T20
However, compared to T20s, Rishabh has been in better form in 50-over cricket. However, with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan performing constantly, Rishabh is now on the edge to keep his place in the Playing XI. But he has found support in VVS Laxman.
“Pant has been doing well at no.4, not too long ago he scored an important century at Old Trafford and it’s important to back him,” Laxman said during NZ tour.
| Competition for wicketkeepers | |||||
| Players | Innings | Runs | Avg | HS | 50/100 |
| Rishabh Pant | 10 | 336 | 37.33 | 125* | 2/1 |
| Ishan Kishan | 6 | 207 | 34.5 | 93 | 2/0 |
| Sanju Samson | 9 | 284 | 71 | 86 | 2/0 |
IND BAN 1st ODI: After skipping 1st day of practice, Rishabh Pant spends long time at NETS in Dhaka to get form back, Check OUT
Tough Competition in Middle-Order: The middle order is where it gets tricky for Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. KL Rahul returns to the ODI set up and the vice-captain will be eyeing one of the spots. despite his recent run of poor form, Rishabh Pant gets the backing over others. Shreyas Iyer has 6 50+ scores in his last nine innings in the format.
India’s middle order muddle
- Kl Rahul’s spot on the side is a huge question mark for the team management.
- With Dhawan and Rohit set at the top, Rahul has often batted in the middle order.
- However, the Indian vice-captain has only taken up the role once in the last 20 months.
- In the meantime, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer have made compelling cases.
- Shreyas Iyer has 6 50+ scores in his last nine innings in the format.
- Pant scored a hundred in England & averages 37.33 in 2022.
India could potentially fit all three together, but it skews the balance of their side. Should the trio feature, India will have no sixth bowling option in their line-up. The Men in Blue did adopt a similar strategy in NewZealand, but were blown away by Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. However, given the lack of options, India will persist with five bowlers.
IND BAN 1st ODI: After skipping 1st day of practice, Rishabh Pant spends long time at NETS in Dhaka to get form back, Check OUT
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