Kolkata: Rishabh Pant is definitely ‘one for the future’ but former captain Sourav Ganguly is not sure if the young wicket-keeper batsman can fit into India’s World Cup squad.
Pant has been picked ahead of Dinesh Karthik for the five-match ODI series against Australia, India’s last 50-over engagement before the mega event in England.
In an interview at the Eden Gardens, Ganguly did not seem too convinced on how Pant, who has played only three ODIs, would fit into India’s World Cup squad.
“He has to fit in. I don’t know whether he would be able to fit in at this moment. So it depends. But he’s obviously a player for the future,” Ganguly said about Pant, who has just played three ODIs all against the West Indies in India last year.
Pant has made a big statement in Tests by scoring centuries in England and Australia but he’s yet to make an impact in the ODIs and T20Is.
India skipper Virat Kohli has insisted on giving him more match time with the five-ODI series beginning in Hyderabad Saturday.
“Karthik is not part of the ODI squad then obviously they are not thinking him as an option. It depends on what the selectors want,” said Ganguly.
Kohli may have cautioned his players against picking up bad habits during the upcoming IPL but former captain said Indian players are too good and will adjust to the 50-over format easily.
“It does not bring in bad habits. When you see Kohli bat the way he bats, there are no bad habits at all. World Cup is how you play in the World Cup. It’s (IPL) a different tournament. You just play and move on to the World Cup.”
Kohli has said more ODIs in the Australia series would have been more logical ahead of the World Cup. “I do not think so. They are too good and will easily adjust. The whole last year we played. How much we play?” Ganguly asked.
