Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Rishabh Pant to be included in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup semi-final clash against England over designated finisher Dinesh Karthik. Shastri feels that having a left-handed batter in the side will help India tackle the England bowling lineup better.
“Dinesh is a lovely team player. But when it comes to a game against England or New Zealand, just seeing their attack, I think you need a robust left-hander, who can turn it on and a match winner and a left-hander," Shastri said after India’s comprehensive win over Zimbabwe on November 6 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
"He has done well against England. He recently won a match on his win against England, a one-day game. I would go with Pant, not just because he played here, but because of the X-factor angle, he can bring to the semi-final."
Despite Pant registering a single-digit score against Zimbabwe in his first appearance of T20 World Cup 2022, Shastri feels that the southpaw will be able to exploit the conditions at Adelaide Oval and the short boundaries.
"You are playing in Adelaide, short boundaries square, another reason why a left-hander should be there to disrupt the England attack. If you have too many right-handers, there is a sense of sameness to it. England have a nice attack, a varied attack of left-handers and right-handers.
"You need a left-hander in your team, who can be dangerous and win you a game in the back overs even if you have lost 3 or 4 wickets at the top," the 60-year-old further added.
While Karthik has struggled so far in the ground stage, Pant did not make his case in the practice matches played at Perth. The southpaw scored just 18 runs from two games against Western Australia XI. Also, in two T20I innings he has played in Australia, he has scored just 20 runs including a duck. But his overall record in Australia is better than the experienced campaigner.
