NEWS
Follow UsFormer India captain Sourav Ganguly heaped heavy praise on Rishabh Pant who is set to make his return to Test cricket after almost two years. The wicketkeeper-batter has been picked for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19.
Having successfully made his way back into both the T20 and 50-over cricket, Pant made his return to red-ball cricket in the first round of the Duleep Trophy. The left-hander got out for 7 in the first innings but slammed 61 off 47 in the second innings. In the process, he smashed the fastest fifty in Duleep Trophy history.
"I consider Rishabh Pant one of India's best Test batsmen. I'm not surprised that he's back in the side, and he will continue to play for India in Tests," Ganguly said at a promotional event in Kolkata, reported PTI.
"He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this. For me, he needs to get better in the shorter formats. With the talent he has, I'm sure with time, he will become one of the best."
Talking about the Indian squad for the Bangladesh series, Ganguly said: "I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It's still a very good attack.
"In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment -- it won't be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team.
"I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong."
India have also picked Akash Deep in the squad. The right-arm seamer made an impressive debut against England earlier this year and was also brilliant in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, picking up nine wickets and scoring 43 off 42 in the final innings.
"Akash Deep is an outstanding young fast bowler. He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods. I've seen him play for Bengal, taking wickets. He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s. He is one to watch out for," said Ganguly.
Bangladesh are coming into this series on the back of a historic 2-0 win in Pakistan but Ganguly feels “India will be a different kettle of fish”.
"Going to Pakistan and beating them is never easy, so congratulations to the (Bangladesh) players. But India will be a different kettle of fish; India, whether at home or away, are a fantastic side with a very strong batting unit.
"I don't see Bangladesh winning; India will win the series. But India must expect good and tough cricket from Bangladesh because they are coming into the series with a lot of confidence after beating Pakistan in Pakistan.”
Lastly, talking about the state of Pakistan cricket, Ganguly added: “I see a genuine dearth of talent in the country. Every time we think of Pakistan, we remember Miandad, Wasim, Waqar, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf, and Younis Khan.
"That's the memory of Pakistan for us, but that doesn't win matches in the modern generation of cricket. Every generation has to produce outstanding players to win, and when I look at Pakistan in world cricket -- I saw them in the West Indies World Cup, in India during the World Cup, and now after the Bangladesh series loss -- there is a dearth of talent in that country.
"The people connected with the sport in Pakistan will have to look into it. I'm not saying this with disrespect. Pakistan of the old had some great cricketers, which I don't see in this squad.”
(Image credit - PTI)
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