IND vs SA LIVE – Rishabh Pant Press Conference: KL Rahul’s last moment withdrawal due to groin injury has opened up a place in the batting order. Rishabh Pant who will lead the side, although refused to spill the beans but hinted at Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan as India’s opening pair. With the extra batting slot, Dinesh Karthik is also likely to get a go. Follow India vs South Africa live updates on Insidesport.IN
“We had three openers with Rahul bhai. Now that he is out, you know who will open. But I will reveal who they are,” Rishabh Pant said.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
The two are none other than Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad. But with KL Rahul ruled out, the team is also in need of a batter in the middle-order. While Hardik Pandya is likely to bat at No 5, it’s between Dinesh Karthik and Deepak Hooda for the middle-order role.
If Deepak Hooda gets a go, he is likely to bat ahead of Hardik Pandya while the new vice-captain will play the finisher’s role.
“As of now, we haven’t discussed who will play. But as a team, we have discussed on giving opportunities to as many players as possible. But having a large squad, it is difficult to go give everyone same amount of playing time,” Rishabh Pant said.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
However, Rishabh ruled out an early debut for Umran Malik with Avesh Khan likely to get the nod. He said despite immense talent, it will take a little longer for Umran.
“He is an amazing prospect for India. But over a period of time, he will learn how to control his aggression and stick to line and length. He has already bowled well in IPL and going forward, we will see him a lot. It’s going to take time. So, the thinking is that the people who have come first will be given chances. And then we will decide how to take it forward,” Pant said.
Rishabh Pant Press Conference Highlights:
- He received the news of captaincy an hour before the press conference.
- Ruturaj and Ishan will open for India.
- New faces in the squad will have to wait for their chance.
- Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be the three frontline seamers.
- In KL Rahul’s absence, Rahul Dravid and Rishabh Pant will need to decide who will play the finisher’s role as India will be a batter short in top-order.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
Rishabh Pant Press Conference Excerpts:
On Captaincy:
I think it’s a very good feeling. It’s a big opportunity for me. I would like to thank the BCCI for the opportunity and my well-wishers. We have a big job in hand and focus shifts to that.
There is no bigger feeling than leading India in front of home crowd at home ground.
Rishabh Pant’s first reaction after getting Indian team’s captaincy.@BCCI pic.twitter.com/sT1UNUXln6
— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) June 8, 2022
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
On Openers:
We had three openers with Rahul bhai. Now that he is out, you know who will open. But I will reveal who they are.
On DC captaincy helping in India captaincy
I think it will help me a lot. When you keep on doing the same thing over a period of time, you tend to improve. I am someone who keep on learning from mistakes over and over. That is something will help me.
On Hardik Pandya’s captaincy
The news came in an hour ago and I did not have the time to think about it. But he won the IPL title and it’s a big thing for us. So, I will try to grasp as many positive things as possible from him.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
On approach
As a team, we have discussed certain goals that we want to achieve as a team. At the end, World Cup is on our mind. In coming days, you will see a lot of changes in how we play.
On Deepak Hooda
As of now, we haven’t discussed who will play. But as a team, we have discussed on giving opportunities to as many players as possible. But having a large squad, it is difficult to go give everyone same amount of playing time.
On Rahul Dravid
It’s one of the best things to happen. I have worked under him in U-19 team and then in the IPL and in the senior team. There is a lot of learnings from him on game tactics, how to conduct myself and discipline.
On Umran Malik
He is an amazing prospect for India. But over a period of time, he will learn how to control his aggression and stick to line and length. He has already bowled well in IPL and going forward, we will see him a lot. It’s going to take time. So, the thinking is that the people who have come first will be given chances. And then we will decide how to take it forward.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
On Playing in Delhi heat
We are playing in such conditions after a long time. We might get dehydrated and get tired early but I think it’s part and parcel of the game.
Dhoni making captaincy debut in Delhi
I haven’t digested the news yet. I am happy that Mahi bhai made his captaincy debut here.
Captaincy pressure
I am not thinking about it too much. I will do my best and do what I can and the rest will follow.
IND vs SA LIVE: No KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant hints at Ishan Kishan-Ruturaj Gaikwad as opening pair, Dinesh Karthik likely for 1st T20
India’s squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (Captain, WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya (Vice captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik.
South Africa’s squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen.
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