Brian Lara Thinks Rishabh Pant Should Replace MS Dhoni in Team India
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|| Indian Correspondent ||
Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has shown his class once again in the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) with his improved and 'matured' which impressed former West Indies player Brian Lara.
While sharing his views on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, the 51-year-old batting legend expressed that he should replace former India captain MS Dhoni in Team India.
"Look at how he plays for Delhi Capitals, it looks like he wants that responsibility, he wants that onus on him to score runs, build an innings and get big scores. If he continues that way, I think that he should the No. 1," Lara said.
However, not only Lara but Sanjay Bangar also said that Rishabh Pant needs to be backed in the team. Pant became the first choice keeper-batsman after Dhoni made himself unavailable for over a year, but his poor form with both the bat and keeping gloves saw his exclusion from the squad. Meanwhile, he has scored 31, 37*, 28, 38, and 37 in the ongoing IPL 2020. His knocks have impressed everyone as well.
He added, "Rishabh Pant a year ago, I would say no, but I feel that he has stepped up in terms of his responsibility as a batsman."
Notably, KL Rahul replaced Pant during the first ODI match against Australia after Pant had suffered a concussion. India won the series by 2-1 earlier this year where Rahul stood up with both the bat and keeping gloves.
He further shared, "I would like to say that KL Rahul should not be bothered with wicketkeeping when it comes to the Indian squad. He’s such a great batsman that I feel that he should concentrate on that and put in a lot of runs on the board.
“Rahul really brings in a good balance to keep that well and bat that well in that position. It’s just that he’s come into that slot and has done well," he had said.
