WTC Final: Rishabh Pant should be allowed to play his natural game, says Sourav Ganguly

India’s former captain and now the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Sourav Ganguly feels Rishabh Pant should be allowed to play his natural game. Pant had earlier come under the scanner for his rash batting as he didn’t bat according to the match situation in the early stages of his career.

However, the left-hander has been able to turn the tables in the last six months. Pant has delivered with both bat as well as the gloves for the Indian team in Test matches.

Pant has the skills to turn the match on its head and he likes to hit the ground running. The pugnacious southpaw batsman is known to catapult his attack on the opposition and he can make a deep impact on the game if he gets settled.

Pant has been in sublime form in the last six months and he has batted at the top of his game. The left-hander had scored 274 runs in three Test matches against Australia and had played a key role in India’s win Down Under. Subsequently, he scored 270 runs in the four Test matches against England and continued his prolific form in the Test matches.

Pant had scored a match-winning knock of 89 runs in the historic Gabba Test match. Furthermore, he had also scored a fine counter-attacking knock of 101 runs off just 118 balls against England.

Pant is well known for his blistering batting and he is going to play a key role for the Indian team in the WTC final if he can get going.

Sourav Ganguly said while talking Bengali Daily Anandabazar Patrika, “Pant is an unbelievable talent. He’s one of those players who can single-handedly change the course of a game. Pant is that kind of a game changer. He should be allowed to play his natural game. It is better to let such players play like themselves.”

On the other hand, Ganguly believes the Indian team will be successful in England. India will first play the WTC final against the Kiwis and then will take on the hosts in a five-match Test series.

“In England the ball swings more and that’s why there have been some issues. You have to play a bit late. But let’s just forget what has happened in the past. This Indian team have performed brilliantly everywhere. Everyone is a top cricketer. I firmly believe this team will be successful in England”.

The WTC final will begin from today at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.