India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant recently revealed that the team plans to try out as many options as possible ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played this year in Australia. Pant further added that the team will try different players for different positions and will decide the composition.
India recently won the second T20I against West Indies by eight runs and secured a series win. India posted a total of 186/5 batting first courtesy of half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. India defended the target very well restricting the opposition for 178/3.
There will be a T20 World Cup in Australia this year. Speaking on the preparation of the team ahead of the tournament, Pant said that India plans to try out as many option as possible before the tournament.
“There’s still time for the World Cup, so the plan is to try out as many options as possible,” the 24-year-old 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.”
Virat Kohli scored 52 runs from 41 balls and Pant played a knock of unbeaten 52 runs from 28 balls. Pant put on a partnership of 76 runs to take India to winning total. Iyer scored 33 runs from 18 balls and played a finishing role for the team. Pant praised Iyer saying he is a mature cricketer.
“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),” he opined.
“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.”
Pant came in to bat at number 5 in the match. Reflecting on his batting position, he said that he should do whatever the team needs from him.
“I have to do whatever the team needs from me. It’s about to keep improving each and every day,” he said.
Rovman Powell scored unbeaten 68 runs from 36 balls. Nicholas Pooran also scored a half-century and the duo looked threatening. Indian bowlers bowled well in death and defended the target successfully.
“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.
