Ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final clash against England, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant named the first five T20I players he would select in his dream team.

Speaking to the ICC, Pant included two England cricketers namely Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone in his list.

"The first five players which I would pick in a T20 XI for my side are… Jos Buttler,” Pant said.

"Whenever he comes to bat, especially in T20s, I feel he can hit anywhere in this world.”

Talking about Livingstone, the Indian glovesman said: "I love watching Livingstone, the way he has been playing over the last two, three years.”

Speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who is not featuring in the ongoing T20 World Cup due to back injury, is the next player in Pant’s list. Bumrah is known for his yorkers and variations in the shortest format of the game.

"Choosing Bumrah, there is never a doubt,” Pant said. “You need a fast bowler so I'm going to add Bumrah for that.”

Rishabh Pant’s next pick was star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, who is currently ranked second in the ICC T20I bowling rankings.

"And Rashid, he's been a mystery spinner over a period of the last six, seven years now,” Pant said. “I love him and he can contribute with the bat too.”

During the Super 12 round, the Men in Blue fielded veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik for the first four games while Pant was given a chance in the last match against Zimbabwe, in which he scored only 3 runs.

While there is no clarity whether Pant will be preferred for the semi-final match against England, he though included himself in his own T20I dream team.

"Because I'm choosing this team, I have to be in it," Pant quipped. “It's compulsory for me to choose myself, that's why I went there.”

(With ICC inputs)