Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant will represent India in all three formats – Saba Karim

Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Saba Karim has predicted Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant will represent Team India in all three formats of the game. Pant is already an integral part of the team across the formats whereas Ishan Kishan has also made an impressive start to his international career as he smashed 56 runs from 32 balls in the second T20I against England.

Meanwhile, Pant has done well in the Test format but he is yet to grab his opportunity in the limited-overs format. In fact, Pant had earlier lost his place in the white-ball team as KL Rahul had grabbed his opportunity. However, Pant was able to get back into the team after consistent performances in the longest format.

Pant scored 274 runs in three Test matches against Australia and played two match-defining knocks of 97 and 89* at Sydney and Brisbane respectively. Subsequently, Pant scored 270 runs in the four-match Test series against England, including a fine counter-attacking knock of 101 runs in the final Test.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan has also impressed with his attacking batting approach. Kishan had impressed everyone with his pyrotechnics in IPL 2020 as he had scored 516 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 57.33 and a blistering strike rate of 145.7.

“Both the batsmen have always attempted to prove themselves as match-winners. Earlier Rishabh Pant proved that and now when Ishan Kishan has been given an opportunity, his mindset has also been similar. So I feel India is blessed to have match-winning ability players like Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant in the shorter format of the game. I have full confidence that in the future Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant will represent India in all three formats,” said Karim while talking to India News.

Meanwhile, it is well known that Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant played together in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. Kishan was the captain of the team and had led the side to the final of the event but they lost against West Indies in the final by five wickets.

“Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant have both played the Under-19 World Cup for India in 2016. So their foundation has been extremely solid. They know their responsibilities in international cricket and how they have to prove themselves,” pointed out Karim. 

Pant and Kishan will look to continue their good show and keep improving at the top level. Both the youngsters have the skills to go a long way in their career and they will look to keep getting better.