T20 World Cup 2024: ‘Counterattacking ability against spin’: Rohit Sharma on Rishabh Pant’s role at number three

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has opened up on Rishabh Pant’s role in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Sharm said that Pant can take the attack against the opposition’s spinners while batting at number three. Pant scored 36 runs off 26 balls against Ireland in the team’s opening game of the ongoing T20I showpiece.

Furthermore, Pant scored an impressive fifty in the warm-up match against Bangladesh. The southpaw scored 446 runs in 13 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40 while leading Delhi Capitals.

The left-hander is known to take the attack to the opposition and has the ability to turn the match on its head with his blistering batting. Pant is also known to use his feet to get to the pitch of the ball against the spinners.

Speaking about Pant’s role in the team, Rohit said during the pre-match press conference, “I had to see Pant in a few IPL games to decide where I wanted to play him during the World Cup. When I saw him during the first half of the tournament, I was really happy with his performance. With a player like him, and the ability he has, it is tough to find the right number for him. But when we have three right-handers in the start, it is nice to have him in the middle. When we move ahead in the tournament, spinners will play a big role and his counterattacking ability against spin will be important.” 

“With Yashasvi Jaiswal not in the playing eleven, he is that guy who can play with freedom. I have seen enough of him doing that over the years and I know what his strengths. There is a bit of weakness as well, but I want to focus on his strengths. I think he has got an all-round game, which I would like to utilise more and get him to play more balls. Besides the openers, none of the guys’ positions are fixed. We want to be flexible about these positions. Some guys love certain entry points into the game and we would like to think about it,” he added.

Pant has got the backing of the team management and he would look to deliver in the ongoing major event. 

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in New York on Sunday in the marquee clash.