India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on Friday (February 18) said the team is looking at exploring as many options as possible heading into the T20 World Cup 2022, slated to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.
Pant smashed 52 not out off 28 balls in India’s series-clinching 8-run victory over West Indies in the second T20I at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The southpaw also earned the Player-of-the-Match award as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-T20I series.
WATCH- Rishabh Pant smacks a terrific flick six off Holder, leaves Rohit Sharma admiring the shot
“There’s still time for the World Cup, so the plan is to try out as many options as possible,” Pant said at the post-match media interaction. “We are trying to find out which positions suit whom and how they can benefit the team. So we’re trying out several options, whatever seems right for the team eventually will be final.”
In the absence of senior pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami, seamer Harshal Patel stepped up to the plate despite West Indies swashbuckler Rovman Powell threatened to take the game away with consecutive sixes in the final over.
“After getting hit for two sixes, the talk was to try bowling outside off, but then he ultimately backed himself.
“There’s obviously pressure in the game, but as individuals, we tend to focus on our skill rather than thinking too much,” Pant added.
During his unbeaten knock, Rishabh Pant shared a 76-run stand with all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer (33) to lift India’s total to 186/5.
Commenting on Iyer, Pant said: “Yes, in the IPL he opened for KKR, but we can’t be thinking too much about that. In the Indian team we are just trying to find different positions for different people. He used to play down the order (for Madhya Pradesh).
“When you come down the order, you know the situation. He (Venkatesh) is someone who reads the situation really well. He is a mature cricketer.”
Reflecting on the partnership, Pant said: “We talked about keeping it simple and not trying too many things. The plan was simple, see the ball, hit the ball.”
Sharing the experience of batting at No. 5, the left-hander said: “It’s all about the team plan. As an individual, I can’t think about whether I’ve to secure this place or that place.
“I have to do whatever the team needs from me. It’s about keep improving each and every day.”
(With PTI inputs)
