Former England pacer Stuart Broad has backed Rishabh Pant, saying that the DC captain should be included in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Broad stated that the T20 World Cup 2024 selection process for the Indian cricket team is unpredictable, with various players being considered. He did, however, mention Pant as one of the best players in contention for the showcase event. Reflecting on a specific shot Pant hit against KKR in the ongoing IPL 2024, a no-look flip over deep square leg for six, Broad stated that the DC captain’s shot encouraged him to back him for a berth in the T20 World Cup squad.
“The selection for the Indian team is up in the air a little bit. You have some players pending in that team. Rishabh Pant’s probably the one on whom there’s a lot of discussion about. There was a shot I saw him play against KKR, a no-look flick over deep square leg for six. The moment he played that shot, I thought, he has got to be in that T20 World Cup squad. He’s ready. He’s good to go,” Broad said on Star Sports.
Broad emphasized the importance of carefully managing Pant’s workload, as the 26-year-old makes his professional comeback after more than a year off. Pant is currently the leading scorer for DC in the ongoing IPL 2024, with 210 runs in seven matches, demonstrating consistency with the bat and great skills behind the stumps.
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“He has taken a huge amount on; he’s been out of the game for such a long period. He’s captain, he’s wicketkeeper, he’s batting 3, 4, 5. There’s a huge amount on his plate already. I’d like to see him be an Impact Sub in a couple of games, taking a bit of the workload off his shoulders. He’s a match-winner, so I think if I was the selector, he’d be my wicketkeeper in the World Cup squad,” Broad added.
The T20 World Cup 2024 will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States in June. With the final set to be held at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, and matches spread across venues including the brand new Nassau County International Stadium in New York, the renovated Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, and the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, the tournament promises to be a spectacle of cricketing excellence.
As the cricket world eagerly awaits the reveal of India’s T20 World Cup squad, Pant’s inclusion seems not just warranted but necessary. His journey from a life-threatening accident to leading scores in the IPL exemplifies not just the spirit of a comeback but the essence of cricket itself – resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.