NEW DELHI: Former India pacer Sreesanth believes that
Rishabh Pant
would be happy to see
Virat Kohli
bat at number three and score runs, especially after Kohli's struggles as an opener in the ongoing
T20 World Cup
.
Despite his record-breaking IPL season, Kohli has managed only five runs in 3 games while opening alongside captain
Rohit Sharma
.
With Kohli opening, Pant has taken on the responsibility of batting at number three at the World Cup.
The keeper-batter has flourished in this role, scoring 96 runs in 3 games with his varied shot selection.
Sreesanth feels that if Kohli returns to his number three spot, Pant will continue to excel.
The former pacer believes Pant is adaptable and can thrive in different situations and positions in the batting order.
"Pant is a player who can adapt to any situation. We have seen him bat at different positions. He is a brilliant player, and I think Pant will be happy if Virat goes at number three. Pant doesn't look at the situation, wicket or the bowler. He just looks at the ball. I think that is a quality that youngsters should focus on. I think he loves Virat, and he would love to see Virat score more runs. If Virat comes just before him, imagine the freedom that Pant gets, he might just hit the reverse sweep on the first ball. So that is Pant," Sreesanth, who features as an expert on Disney+ Hotstar, said while speaking exclusively to ANI.
Pant made his return to cricket in the IPL 2024 season as the skipper of the Delhi Capitals after sustaining injuries in a car accident in December 2022. He scored 446 runs in 13 matches, with an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40.
India remains unbeaten in the T20 World Cup, having defeated Ireland, Pakistan, and co-hosts USA.
Sreesanth sees no reason the Indian team shouldn't aim for the title, citing their strength and talent.
We have such great bench strength. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be winning it. Whenever we talk about the World Cup, they show wins of 2009, 2011 and 1983. It is high time this team genuinely deserves to win the World Cup. Next time, pictures of the current edition will be shown.
In last year's ODI World Cup, India reached the final undefeated but fell short against Australia. Sreesanth is hopeful that this time, India can seek revenge if both teams reach the final, drawing comparisons to past tournament triumphs.
"It feels good, and the way the team is performing it makes you remember the 2007 T20 World Cup. This time, Pakistan is going out, and India is moving forward. The way Bumrah and others are performing, especially in terms of character, India is way ahead. If anybody is going to challenge India, I think it is going towards, India vs Australia final. The result that didn't take place in the 50-over World Cup, I hope India takes revenge this time and we bring the cup back to India," he stated.
After securing a spot in the Super 8, India will play their final group stage game against Canada in Florida on Saturday.
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