"Kishan, Pant will play for India in all formats" - Karim; says it'll be good to have two Dhonis in team

Kishan made 56 and Pant made 26 in India's win in second T20I against England.

Rishabh Pant (L) and Ishan Kishan (R) | Getty

Former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim feels that Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant will represent Team India in all three formats

Ishan Kishan repaid the faith of selectors and management by scoring a half-century on debut. The left-handed batsman became the second Indian after Ajinkya Rahane to score fifty on his T20I debut.

While Rishabh Pant has been in exceptional form since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January, which India won, and has already showcased his immense talent. 

During a discussion with News 18, former Indian wicketkeeper Saba Karim said that both Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan have proved themselves as match-winners. He added that Team India is lucky to have them and is full of confidence that the duo will represent India in all three formats. 

"Both the batsmen have always attempted to prove themselves as match-winners. Earlier Rishabh Pant proved that and now when Ishan Kishan has been given an opportunity, his mindset has also been similar”

"So I feel India is blessed to have match-winning ability players like Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant in the shorter format of the game. I have full confidence that in the future Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant will represent India in all three formats," Saba Karim told News 18. 

IND v ENG 2021: "Happy to see R Ashwin get the recognition he deserved years ago," says Saba Karim

Both Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan played  ICC Under 19 World Cup 2016 together. Kishan captained the side while Pant was an important part of the squad as India finished the tournament as the runners-up.

Talking about the same, Saba Karim said that both Kishan and Pant have a solid foundation because of their U-19 campaign. He added that the duo knows their responsibilities well. 

"Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant have both played the Under-19 World Cup for India in 2016. So their foundation has been extremely solid. They know their responsibilities in international cricket and how they have to prove themselves," he said. 

Kareem compared the duo of Kishan and Pant to MS Dhoni and said that if Team India can get two Dhoni’s there cannot be a bigger thing than that. 

"It seems like that. If the Indian team can get two Dhonis, there cannot be a bigger thing than that. The fearless and carefree manner in which both these players have played and they know what their roles are showed amazing aggression and that too with calculated risk,” said Saba Karim.

Saba Karim further said that the duo needs to continue playing to their strengths and grow big in self-confidence.

"Ishan Kishan had struck 30 sixes in the last IPL season. Both these left-handed batsmen have the six-hitting ability and the Indian team needs that currently. It is very good preparation in T20s for the Indian team and these two players and the more chances they get, their self-confidence will increase further,"  he concluded. 

(News 18 Inputs)

 
 

By Ankitjit Singh - 16 Mar, 2021

    Share Via