India’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has confirmed that the wicket-keeper/batsman Rishabh Pant’s will remain at number three in the T20 World Cup tournament after his impressive showing against Ireland.
Rathour also said that he was pleased to have a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the squad, who played a crucial role in India’s victory over Ireland on Wednesday.
In their first match of the tournament, Pant and Pandya made their return to international cricket after long gaps due to injuries. In spite of a tough pitch with uneven bounce, Pant’s unbeaten 36 runs included an incredible reverse-scoop six as part of his resurgence since being involved in a terrible car crash that occurred this December 2022.
“Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good,” Rathour told journalists following the game at Nassau County Cricket Stadium.
“At the moment he is our No 3 and it helps that he is a left-hander,” added Rathour confirming Pant’s spot in the line-up with captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opening.
Both players showed their fitness levels during IPL paving way for them to be considered for Indian T20 World Cup call-ups.
Although Mumbai Indians had a tough season under him as captain, Pandya was highly valued by Ajit Agarkar because of his all-round skills.
Pandya put up remarkable performance with ball against Ireland. In four overs bowled comprised an accurate spell taking three wickets for 27 runs which marked his first match since October 2023 when walked off due to ankle injury from play against Bangladesh.
“Hardik looked really good. Hardik has been – I mean even in practice game or even practicing – bowling really well,” said Rathour. “He looks fit enough to go through four overs and he’s been bowling with some pace and some accuracy, so yeah, it’s great,” he added.
India has put up a good start to the T20 World Cup in the presence of Pant and Pandya which is a positive sign for their campaign on this tournament.
