If Rishabh Pant was playing, I would straightaway say India are real favorites – Kris Srikkanth

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth feels India would have been straightway favorites if Rishabh Pant was playing. However, Pant has been ruled out for an indefinite time interval after he suffered multiple injuries following a horrific car accident.

Pant is well known to turn the match on its head with his aggressive batting. The left-hander has scored 865 runs in 30 ODI matches at an average of 34.6. Furthermore, Pant has played a key role in India’s big Test wins in overseas conditions.

In his absence, either Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul is expected to keep wickets in the ODI World Cup.

Kris Srikkanth told India Today: “We don’t know the real truth about Rishabh Pant. If he was playing, I would straightaway say India are the real favorites. But Pant’s fitness is obviously questionable.

“Nobody knows how fit will he be before the World Cup. I doubt it, and a lot of people doubt, if he is going to play the 2023 World Cup. Otherwise, Rishabh Pant factor would have been very crucial.”

Pant recently uploaded a video on his social media accounts in which he was seen climbing stairs without any support. It is also reported that Pant’s recovery is on the right track but he is unlikely to be fit for the ODI showpiece.

Srikkanth added Ishan Kishan will be a crucial player for India. The team has got a potent batting order and Srikkanth feels the Rohit Sharma-led team will be one of the favorites for the marquee event.

“Even Ishan Kishan, if he makes it to the team, he could be a dangerous cricketer. I believe Ishan Kishan is going to be a good player. I believe that guys like KL Rahul should be back in the middle order. He will be fantastic.”

“You have Rohit Sharma opening, Shubman Gill and King Kohli, who is fantastic in this format and has been doing well. He’s been in form, so I believe India has got the capabilities of winning the World Cup,” he added.

India will begin their 2023 World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.