T20 World Cup 2021: Rishabh Pant can change the course of the match – VVS Laxman

Former Indian batter VVS Laxman reckons Rishabh Pant can change the course of the match with his blistering batting and he should be sent out to bat in the 13th or 14th over. Pant has the skills to turn the match on its head with his whirlwind batting and he has definitely grown in confidence.

The southpaw can hit the ground running and he definitely has an X-Factor in him. Pant also had a decent run in the recently concluded IPL 2021 as he scored 419 runs in 16 matches at an average of 34.91 and a strike rate of 128.52.

Pant can definitely make an impact with the bat and he can help the team in adding the finishing touches. The left-handed is known for his pyrotechnics and he can get the quick runs for the team.

Pant will look to deliver the goods in the upcoming T20 World Cup and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team in the lower middle order.

VVS Laxman feels the no. 4 position will be ideal for Suryakumar Yadav and Pant can bat according to the match situation.

VVS Laxman said while talking to Star Sports, “I feel No. 4 is the right position for Suryakumar Yadav. Rishabh Pant can start at No. 5 but if two or three wickets have fallen around the 13th or 14th over, then Rishabh Pant can go and bat.

“I will pay more attention to the overs because Rishabh Pant is a batter who can change the course of a match with his power hitting.”

“So I will send Rishabh Pant in as soon as 14 overs are done. Batters like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya who can play the big shots and play the role of a finisher, showing that flexibility is extremely necessary.”

Pant scored a little cameo of 29 runs off just 14 balls with the help of a four and three sixes in the warm-up match against England on Monday. Hardik Pandya also scored 12 runs off 10 balls and added the finishing touches.

“I feel 40 runs were required off the last four overs and you can see a similar situation in the main round of the World Cup, so it was a proper warm-up match as you saw the challenges you will see in the main round.”

Laxman added that the number three position will ideal for Indian skipper Virat Kohli. The talisman could only score 11 runs in the warm-up match against England. The former flamboyant batter backed KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma to open the innings.

“I feel it is the right position for him because you have experienced opening batsmen in KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. And the way Ishan Kishan is batting, I am feeling that he is going to force the team management to play him in the playing XI but No. 3 is the right position for Virat Kohli.”