India vs West Indies: ‘Make the best use of the opportunity,’ Virender Sehwag wants Rishabh Pant to be groomed well

cricket

Updated: Aug 27, 2019 10:26 IST

Rishabh Pant’s poor shot selection has caused his downfall more often than not and Virender Sehwag on Monday hoped the keeper-batsman “works to better his game” and justify the team management’s faith. The 21-year-old Pant is being seen as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s successor across format but of late has been criticised for his shot selection at crucial junctures, more so during the ongoing series against the West Indies.

However, Sehwag wants people to show patience with the young left-handed batsman.

“Pant is an extremely talented cricketer with huge potential. It will be important that he is groomed well,” Sehwag told PTI.

“And now that he has been assured some quality time in the team it is important that he makes the best use of the opportunity and works to better his game and develop as a cricketer,” he added.

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Sehwag is hopeful that the current Indian team can do well, with the quality of pacers and the bench at its disposal.

Asked if this team can win the World Test Championship in 2021, Sehwag said: “Two years is a long time. Yes the team is in good hands. I wish Ravi Shastri all the luck for his second innings and Virat Kohli all the very best.

“We have good bench strength, quality fast bowlers and spinning prospects. We need to now settle the team combinations,” Sehwag added.

India got off to the best possible start in the World Championship, crushing West Indies by 318 runs in the opening Test of the two-match series.

Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc with a five-wicket haul, complementing Ajinkya Rahane’s long-awaited 10th Test hundred, as India decimated West Indies inside four days.

The win took India to the top of the championship table with 60 points. Sri Lanka are currently second although they have equal number of points. Australia and England are currently third and fourth respectively with 32 points each.