Former India batter Suresh Raina believes that the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for Rohit Sharma can be Rishabh Pant. The 26-year-old southpaw shouldn’t be part of India’s ongoing three-match T20I sequence towards Afghanistan however he’s gearing up for a comeback to aggressive cricket. Pant, who has began coaching after recovering from a automotive accident he met with in December 2022, is predicted to play within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. With the Afghanistan sequence being India’s final T20I project earlier than the T20 World Cup, the efficiency of gamers in IPL is certainly going to have a say within the collection of the squad for the world occasion.

“I really feel Sanju Samson is usually a weapon as he can bat anyplace. Jitesh can also be there however I really feel Rohit Sharma’s first selection will probably be Rishabh Pant, relying on what he does within the two months (of the IPL), as a result of he retains effectively, and will probably be making a comeback,” mentioned Raina on Colours Cineplex as quoted by Sportskeeda.

“Ishan Kishan is an alternative choice. Jitesh Sharma is retaining exceptionally effectively and has executed effectively in batting at any time when he has bought an opportunity. Nevertheless, Sanju Samson brings impression. He performs huge knocks. He thinks like a captain and captains the Rajasthan Royals as effectively. I’ve nice confidence in him,” Raina added.

The Rohit-led Indian cricket crew went forward with Jitesh Sharma within the first T20I towards Afghanistan, benching Sanju Samson.

Ishan Kishan shouldn’t be part of the sequence as he has requested for relaxation whereas the crew administration has given no rationalization on why KL Rahul — one other wicketkeeper-batter in rivalry — has not been picked for the sequence.

Take a look at India’s enjoying XI vs Afghanistan in 1st T20I: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar