Zaheer Khan expressed delight in Rishabh Pant’s stellar comeback, acknowledging his remarkable progress in leadership, wicket-keeping, and batting skills during the IPL.
The looming question of Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup dominated discussions before the 17th IPL edition. While uncertainty remains, Pant’s impressive performances have elevated him as a strong contender for the Indian squad, particularly as a keeper-batter.
Zaheer Khan, reflecting on Pant’s IPL journey, initially harbored doubts about the 26-year-old’s form after a lengthy hiatus but now commends his emergence as a leader. Khan expressed satisfaction with Pant’s growth in wicket-keeping and batting, citing his notable progress in recent matches.
“I am happy with his (Rishabh Pant’s) progress. I was not confident how he will fare after such a long break ahead of the IPL. But in the last 6-7 matches his progress, his leadership, skills and wicket-keeping succeeded in all aspects,” Zaheer said while talking to Jio Cinema.
READ ALSO | Stuart Broad Backs Rishabh Pant for T20 World Cup Squad; Urges Workload Management for the Keeper
Pant’s IPL 2024 journey boasts 210 runs in seven matches at a formidable strike rate of 156.71. While his stats shine, Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik lead among Indian keeper-batters.
Zaheer Khan also addressed Hardik Pandya’s situation, stating that the franchise or player can’t change fan reactions. He emphasized that Pandya must rely on his performance to overcome criticism amidst evolving franchise cricket dynamics.
“This is just a different aspect of franchise cricket. 17 years ago when IPL started we never knew how it will be treated or received but now fans have become loyal to franchises. Franchise cricket is evolving. There is no better way to deal with this than let your game speak,” he concluded.
Last Updated on April 19, 2024
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