Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant made his comeback to competitive cricket in the ongoing IPL after recovering from a life-threatening car accident. In four innings so far, the southpaw has registered scores of 18, 28, 51 and 55.
However, former India skipper and DC’s Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly reckons that Pant needs more time to get ready for the upcoming T20 World Cup selection process.
The global showpiece tournament is slated to be held in the West Indies and USA right after the IPL 2024 season, scheduled to culminate on May 26.
While the T20 World Cup 2024 is due to get underway on June 1, India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5.
"Let a few more matches go. He is doing very well. As you all must have seen, you know, (wicket) keeping, batting. He has held up well,” Ganguly told the media when asked if he thinks Pant is ready for selection in the India squad.
"His form has been fantastic, especially the way he has batted in the last two games. Let another week go, and I'll be able to answer that question... provided the selectors want to pick him -- that's most important. He's fit, fully fit," he added.
Having lost three out of their four matches so far this season, Delhi Capitals will next face the struggling Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday (April 7).
"We have used the bowling part of it well in terms of Mukesh (Kumar), who's developed under Delhi Capitals, Khaleel (Ahmed) and Ishant (Sharma).
"Prithvi Shaw... he's come back into good form this season. Obviously, Rishabh is a domestic Indian talent. Abhishek Porel has started out well this season. We need to find one more batsman who can do it,” Ganguly said.
He went on to say that as the competition goes on, young players like Kumar Kushagra and Ricky Bhui would get the chance to showcase their skills.
"It's about opportunities at this level. Hopefully with the young players like (Ricky) Bhui, (Kumar) Kushagra, we can give them opportunities and see how it goes. It's also on the balance of the side, whether you want to go the bowling way or the batting way," said Ganguly. "Of course, he (Kushagra) will play. We're looking for an opportunity for him to play. We saw (Sameer) Rizvi play for Chennai, he also got a very high price tag."
According to Ganguly, the Indian talent will shine in the IPL as it is getting lots of opportunities.
"There's a lot of Indian talent who's doing well in IPL. (We) saw (Riyan) Parag do well for Rajasthan so far. Then there is Punjab (Kings') Shashank Singh, he did well in the last game. Prabhsimran is also doing well for Punjab," he said. "There are a lot of young talents around in the IPL and that's the way it has been over a period of time. It's a platform for young talent to come and play well. And, the more opportunities they are given, they will play well as the tournament progresses."
Sourav Ganguly also revealed that wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will undergo a fitness test before the match against Mumbai Indians.
"He'll undergo a fitness test today. He has a little bit of groin stiffness (and) that's why he missed the last two games. By the end of the day, we'll get to know whether he's available tomorrow or not," Ganguly said.
(With PTI Inputs)
