India’s young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has on Friday (March 26) returned to the playing XI in the ongoing second ODI against England being played in Pune and the renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said he understands the reasons behind India's call.
Pant missed the first ODI against England but a shoulder injury to Shreyas Iyer suffered has opened the door for the left-hander, including him in the playing XI for the second ODI despite other options such as Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill were available.
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Reacting to Pant’s selection in the second ODI against England, the former India batsman has pointed out that it is hard for the India team management to leave Pant out while claiming to keep the talented cricketer out of the playing XI was weighing on the national team management.
Speaking in an interaction on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said: “The reason is obvious. Rishabh Pant sitting out there on the bench was weighing on the Indian team management.”
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old had some eye-catching performances on the Australia tour earlier this year – from saving the third Test match in Sydney to playing a brilliant knock of 89* to help India win the fourth Test at Gabba and the series also. He was also impressive in the home Test series against England, hitting a century in the 4th Test to help India win the Test series in Ahmedabad.
Highlighting his form, Manjrekar noted, “The kind of form he has shown of the late, the self-confidence he has, you have to make use of that. When they had to leave him out, I am sure it was a tough call. It must have something that would have put some pressure on team management.”
He signed off by saying, “The first chance they get, they have to bring Rishabh Pant back in. Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gil have strong claims as well, Ishan Kishan too. But Rishabh Pant's current - the kind of ability he has, and the devastation he potentially can create, it's hard to leave him out. I am perfectly alright with that, and I can understand why this call was made.”
Rishabh Pant slammed an entertaining 77 off 40 balls with 7 sixes and 3 fours before falling to Tom Curran, being caught by Jason Roy.
