Robin Uthappa wants Rishabh Pant to play in the top order for India in T20Is

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa who was a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad feels wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant should bat in the top order in the shortest format of the game going forward.

Going into the World Cup in Australia, Pant was not in the starting eleven for India as Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid preferred Dinesh Karthik coming down the order and putting the finishing touches to an innings. But suffering from injuries and poor form, Karthik failed to deliver and missed out on the last few games as Pant was brought in the eleven.

But apart from a couple of games where he was tried as an opener, Pant has mostly featured in the middle order as a left hand enforcer. But his stature has been more on Test format than in T20 Internationals. He still has a lot to prove and if he is allowed to bat in the top order, he will get more time on the crease to play the way he wants rather than having the constant pressure of playing in a certain way.

Uthappa shared how Pant’s innings in the Indian Premier League gives him confidence to try him out as in the top order for the 2024 World Cup. He believes that there is enough time for Pant to settle in a different role and he is confident that it will bring results.

“The next World Cup is in two years’ time. So keeping the conditions there in mind, I feel Rishabh Pant should bat in the top 3,” Uthappa shared in a conversation with Sportskeeda.

The former Chennai Super Kings batter shared how Pant has done wonders when he has batted in the top order in IPL and believes that he is a proven match winner. “If you look at his IPL records, his best performances have come when he has opened or when he has batted at No. 3. So, you have to give him the opportunity to become a match-winner in that position,” he went on adding.

Uthappa also shared his thoughts on how Karthik wont be a part of the team in the next World CUp in 2024, so he wants India to develop new finishers. He has some interesting takes as he names players like Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson as he believes that these batters can be groomed into finishers if shown trust and given time.

“I don’t think Dinesh Karthik might play again in the next world cup. So you can groom the likes of Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda in the finisher’s role. Umran Malik is a bowler who should definitely play,” Uthappa opined.

India once again had a disappointing end to the World Cup as they were simply smashed by eventual winners England in the semifinals. The Three Lions handed them a humiliating 10-wicket defeat while chasing 178.

Rishabh Pant will get his chances as he is a part of the Hardik Pandya led side touring New Zealand. The tour has three T20 games and Pant will be eager to prove a point with the bat.